Introduction
Every year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day is an important health awareness event that raises awareness and promotes the importance of mental health in one's life and society. This day aims to educate people about the stigma associated with mental illness, as well as to encourage people all over the world to support the cause and create a healthy environment in all aspects of life to promote mental health.
The significance of World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is critical in uniting people to fight mental health issues by organising various awareness campaigns and encouraging others to participate and seize the opportunity to learn about the importance of mental health in their surroundings. It also provides global platforms for affected people to connect with various concerned communities to share their thoughts and be vocal about their suffering as well as the actions that must be taken to help others.
The Theme of World Mental Health Day 2022
The World Mental Health Day theme for 2022 is "Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority." Every year, the World Federation for Mental Health develops a specific theme on mental health issues, along with informational toolkits and guidelines for the public to organise various mental health-related campaigns with the goal of delivering awareness information to all segments of society and peacefully appealing to local and global decision-makers to seriously look into these issues and provide better facilities and support to address them.
Due to the increased mental health crisis in recent years, this year's theme intends to call on global communities to work together to create opportunities for those who do not have access to better treatment facilities, as well as to encourage the care and support of mentally ill people in their midst. It is estimated that during the first phase of the COVID Pandemic, mental disorders such as anxiety and depression increased by 25% globally; therefore, we must all work together to ensure Mental Health and Well-Being for All as a Global Priority.
The Origins of World Mental Health Day
The World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organisation with a presence in over 150 countries, established World Mental Health Day on October 10, 1992. Richard Hunter, Deputy Secretary General of the World Federation for Mental Health, proposed the initiative in 1992.
Until 1994, the day was observed without a specific theme; it was primarily focused on educating people about general mental health issues. Later in 1994, the day was celebrated based on the theme, and the theme for the year 1994 was "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services Throughout the World," as suggested by Eugene Brody, then Secretary General of the World Federation for Mental Health. Since then, the World Federation for Mental Health has announced a specific theme to promote and educate people about mental health issues, prevention, and support to create a better opportunities for mentally ill people.
Preventive Measures and Effective Ways to Raise Mental Health Awareness
- Be outspoken and open about mental health issues.
- Maintain your knowledge of the warning signs and symptoms of mental illnesses. Changes in sleep and eating patterns, persistent sadness, antisocial behaviour, and mood changes are all prominent indicators.
- Be compassionate and kind to others.
- Don't be afraid to offer and promote free mental health screenings.
- Participate in the awareness campaign and donate to the cause.
- Learn and practise proper healthy lifestyle habits to improve the mental health of your family and yourself.
- Encourage and support the affected individual in getting diagnosed and enrolling in appropriate mental health programmes based on their signs and symptoms.
