World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is observed every year on 10 October for worldwide mental heatlh education and learning, awareness, campaigning for against the social stigma that is often attached to it.
It’s the day when countless fans worldwide commemorate the day by joining wellness programs as well as by giving attention the major impacts as well as major health problems related to mental health.
World Mental Health Day 2020 theme
For 2 years, the day had no specified theme other than promoting mental health education and also awareness. In 1994, the day was celebrated with a theme of ‘Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.’
Since then, World Mental Health Day has constantly been observed with a new theme
According to WHO the theme for World Mental Health Day 2020 is ‘Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access‘
This year, the topic of mental health has probably come to be one of the most essential one because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the impact it has carried the mental state of human beings for the past 9-10 months.
“This year’s World Mental Health Day, on 10 October, comes at a time when our daily lives have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” writes the World Health Organisation.
Their official web page goes on to state that the past couple of months have been challenging for all frontline workers, students, teachers, friends, family members, and also numerous other professionals.
As the economical effects of the pandemic are being felt by numerous people worldwide, it is understood that ‘the need for mental health and psychosocial support will substantially increase in the coming months’.
Keep this in mind, the theme of the year is increased financial investment in mental health.
The WHO specifies mental health as a state of wellness in which an individual can realise his/her very own potential and can handle stresses of everyday life while working proficiently and fruitfully, making a meaningful contribution to the society. In other words, mental health refers to your cognitive, emotional, and also social well-being. Mental health impacts how you think, feel, act, and is important at every stage of life.
The choices you make in your daily life can influence the state of your mental health. Sometimes, reading something inspirational can also have a favorable effect on us.
Read Also: Important days in October: National and international
World Mental Health Day History
World Mental Health Day was first observed on 10 October 1992. It was started by Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter, World Federation for Mental Health. The day is formally celebrated yearly on October 10th.
At the start, the Day had no certain theme. Its objectives were basic ones of promoting mental health advocacy and also educating general public on relevant concerns. In the first three years among the main activities to mark the Day was a two-hour telecast broadcast internationally with the US information agency satellite system from workshops in Tallahassee, Florida. WFMH Board members got involved from the studio, with real-time telephone engagement from Australia, Chile, England, Zambia, Geneva, Atlanta and also Mexico City.
World Mental Health Day Facts
- Around 1 in 5 of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental disorder. – WHO
- Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 264 million people. – WHO
- Almost 800 000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years. -WHO
- Around 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder. – WHO
- Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions. -WHO
