World Mental Health Day – October 10.

The international day of mental health is set to October 10th every year. The goal of marking this day is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health across the world and promote understanding and education about the different far-reaching problems and aspects of mental health.

Most people would probably agree that good health is a key aspect of something one might call a good life. There are different definitions of health, be it the “absence of symptoms” or something more akin to “the state of physical, mental and social well-being”. Still, most people will react with empathy, support and pity when someone close to them has a physical illness, but react with fear, impatience, misunderstanding and judgement to mental health issues. Mental disorders in a significant matter make everyday life more difficult, whether it be because of difficulty in cognition, emotion or behavior. These difficulties and stresses created by mental health are hard enough for the person going through them because their ability to function normally and realize their potential is compromised, and they also must deal with social isolation, and judgement because of a lack of understanding and education about the topic in society.

These people require support, understanding and patience, which is most often what they don’t get.

The World Mental Health Day was established by the World Federation of Mental Health in 1992, since then every year this day has been marked with the goal of raising awareness. With time the activities and events surrounding this event have developed and the day became a platform for governments, organizations and individuals to develop initiatives which are focused on the differing aspects of mental health. Every year, the World Federation of Mental Health chooses a theme for the World Mental Health Day and works to establish educational material regarding the topic to the different organizations it collaborates with.

This year, the official theme of the World Mental Health Day is “it’s time to prioritize mental health in the workplace”.

Most employed adults spend most of their time at work. In the best-case scenario, work can be a source of meaning, stability and joy, besides money. Unfortunately, for most people, this is hardly the case, and work represents an endless source of struggle and stress. Of course, this type of exposure to a difficult and stressful environment will poorly affect the mental health of these individuals and reflect itself in their, and their families, lives.

The World Health Organization, regarding the World Mental Health Day, has signified the importance of preventing mental disorders and maintaining mental health at the workplace. They state that a safe and healthy work environment can be a protective factor for mental health and that a negative work environment affects mental health, general quality of life and work productivity.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from: https://unsplash.com/photos/man-and-woman-hugging-each-other-photography-9vHPCKymSh0*

About 2024 – World Mental Health Day. (n.d.). https://wmhdofficial.com/about-2024/

World Mental Health Day 2024. (2024, October 4). https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2024