World Mental Health Day

When is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is on October 10th every year. The day has been created to help spread more awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health matters.

Since the pandemic, the world has seen a rise in mental health awareness which, has led to significant progress in the mental health space, including decreased stigma, misconceptions, and encouraging open and honest conversations about mental wellbeing without judgement.

Despite this, we have also seen a sharp decline in mental health for many people since 2020 because of the impacts of the global pandemic, such as social isolation and increased health anxiety. According to a study conducted by Harvard Business Review, 85% said their wellbeing had declined since the global pandemic.

What is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day, also known as World Mental Health Awareness Day, is the global celebration of mental health support, services, resources, and education. The day was first observed in 1992 and has been celebrated annually and across the globe since.

What is the aim of World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day raises awareness around mental health challenges in an effort to end stigmas and encourage more mental health support around the globe for everyone, regardless of their situation. It aims to assemble and mobilise efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues to promote healthier and happier lives for all globally.

World Mental Health Day opens the door for people to discuss challenges with mental health without judgement and proper support to corners of the world that may not have easily accessible mental health support yet.

What is the theme for World Mental Health Day?

The 2025 World Mental Health Day theme is “Access to services – Mental health in catastrophes and emergencies". This has been set by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), to highlight the support needed during times of crisis.

Past World Mental Health Day themes

Every year since 1994, the WFMH sets a new theme for World Mental Health Day. Here is a brief archive of past themes over the past five years:

• 2024: It is time to prioritize mental health in the workplace • 2023: Mental Health is a universal human right • 2022: Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority • 2021: Mental Health in an Unequal World • 2020: Move for mental health: Greater investment – Greater access

Mental health matters

Evidence suggests that more than 1 in 7 UK adults say their mental health is currently either bad, or the worst it’s ever been. Mental health matters and everyone should have access to mental health support when they need it regardless of their individual situation.

Organisations should take the lead in mental health support to care for their people, support the cause of World Mental Health Day, and curate a healthier and happier workplace for all.

What is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2024?

World Mental Health 2024’s theme is “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace” and we couldn’t think of a better time to refresh mental health in your workplace for a healthier and happier work environment.

According to research, 1 in 6 people experience mental health problems in the workplace and 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety. There is a clear need for better mental health support in UK workplaces which will not only benefit the individual but also the organisation. In fact, employees who are happy are 13% more productive, so providing mental health support makes business sense.

What causes bad Mental Health?

Causes of mental health challenges can be complex and stem from different sources, such as environmental factors, genetics, and social influences. Some are a reaction to difficult life events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown, but they can also be caused by stress from working conditions. This is why it is crucial for organisations to offer mental health support, without it, your people could suffer and so could your business.

How to spot the signs of mental health challenges

As a leader, spotting the signs of poor mental health is essential. Without this, people who are struggling may run the risk of worsening mental health issues and impacting the organisation’s productivity levels.

Common signs of mental health problems: • Seem sad

• Lacks energy

• Confused in thinking

• Inability to concentrate

• Coming into work late

• Excessive worries and fears

• Extreme mood changes

• Showing anger, aggression, or resentment

Mental health in the workplace and the cost of ignoring it

1 in 6 people experience mental health problems in the workplace and 17.1 million days are lost to stress, anxiety, and depression in the UK. Mental health in the workplace has a direct impact on workplace performance, impacting employee productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, staff turnover, employer reputation, and damages workplace morale.

Leaders should send a clear message that mental health matters by proactively offering mental health support for their people, encouraging people to feel valued and safe in their workplace.

Is it important to offer mental health support?

Mental health conditions do not have an off switch. So, when someone attends work with poor mental health it can be difficult without accessible support. With an estimate of 15% of UK workers experiencing an existing mental health condition, it makes business sense to offer mental health support for your people.

• Cultivates an open and trusting environment Mental health support provides a safe space for people to discuss their mental health challenges without judgement, encouraging others to discuss their challenges openly and emphasising that mental health is not something to feel ashamed of.

This fosters an open and trusting culture where people feel comfortable and safe to disclose their struggles to their colleagues and managers.

• Encourages positive work relationships Often, individuals who struggle with mental health challenges find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings, which can make everyday conversations with their colleagues tough and draining. With appropriate mental health support, those who are struggling can feel the relief of talking to a counsellor and work on articulating their feelings for better and stronger relationships inside and outside of work.

• Empowers your people When an employer prioritises mental health and the care of their people, their people tend to be healthier, happier, and more engaged. It makes people feel valued, important, secure, happy, and empowered.

• Priorities work-life balance According to research, 58% of people are more likely to go for a job that promotes a good work-life balance over an attractive salary. More people are prioritising their work-life balance and improving colleagues mental health could be the first step in offering a better work-life balance, for a healthier and happier workplace. Prioritising your people’s work-life balance will help you retain talent and improve employee satisfaction.

How can organisations drive better mental health support in the workplace?

• Offer mental health support Free and easily accessible mental health support is essential for an organisation. It shows you care about your people, allowing them a place to find confidential support without having to deal with long wait times and large costs.

Counsellors offer different perspectives and a safe space for people to vent their challenges to a qualified person who may offer helpful and beneficial advice.

• Invite a mental health expert in for a Q&A Mental health is a complex and rich subject that can be hard understand and relate to. Inviting a mental health expert to speak about mental health awareness allows your people to learn about more about the subject and their own struggles.

It leaves audiences curious about mental health, positively challenges stigma, and encourages open and honest conversations about mental wellbeing.

• Make mental health care a KPI Targets shouldn’t always be about the growth of the business, offering your people the chance to improve their mental health awareness through targets and KPI’s can be really beneficial for the organisation and it’s people. Not only does this show to your people that you are serious about mental health, but it is a clear and measurable indicator for your people to monitor their own mental health.

• Organise team-building activities Team-building activities encourage people to foster strong working relationships with one another, boosting engagement, confidence, and trust within teams. With closer and better relationships within the workplace, teams tend to see a boost in productivity and better ability to support each other.

• Offer mental health support to dependents When a loved one struggles, so do we. Worrying about a loved one’s mental health can be incredibility debilitating, leading to an increase of challenges, such as anxiety and depression. As an organisation, it can be beneficial for you to offer mental health support to the dependents or family members of your people, so they don’t have to worry about their loved ones.