World Mental Health Day – October 10

When is World Mental Health Day?

The 10th of October is Mental Health Day, both in the United States and internationally. On World Mental Health Day, people and organizations across the world speak up in order to raise awareness about the struggles of people dealing with mental illness.  

Our self-awareness and sensitivity towards it have changed things for the better. Our language surrounding mental health has improved as words like “crazy” and “lunatic” are used less flippantly and we come to better understand that they can be unintentionally hurtful and stigmatizing. While we’ve learned a lot, there’s still so much more we can do to evolve as a society.

Although we know so much more about mental health today, there is still a sense of shame and stigma attached to dealing with mental health issues. Mental Health Awareness Day is dedicated to trying to remove this stigma and promote helping those who need it most.

World Mental Health Day 2021

Every year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) marks October 10 as World Mental Health Day with an overall objective to raise awareness about mental health issues across the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

Mental health is one of the most neglected areas of public health. According to studies, nearly 1 billion people are living with a mental disorder, 3 million people die every year from the harmful use of alcohol and one person dies every 40 seconds by suicide.

The limited access to quality, affordable mental health care in the world before the pandemic, and particularly in humanitarian emergencies and conflict settings, has been further diminished due to Covid-19 as the pandemic has disrupted health services around the world.

World Mental Health Day 2021 Theme Is “Mental Health in an Unequal World“

Every year, the day is marked with a particular theme, and this year the World Mental Health Day 2021 theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ that focuses on reducing the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’. A gap that is growing wider with time and there is continuing unmet need in the care of people with mental health problems.

World Mental Health Day Quotes

“It is okay to have depression, it is okay to have anxiety and it is okay to have an adjustment disorder. We need to improve the conversation. We all have mental health in the same way we all have physical health.” — Prince Harry

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” — Buddha

“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear.” — C.S. Lewis

“My dark days made me stronger. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it.” — Emery Lord

“I understand your pain. Trust me, I do. I’ve seen people go from the darkest moments in their lives to living a happy, fulfilling life. You can do it too. I believe in you. You are not a burden. You will NEVER BE a burden.” — Sophie Turner

“Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.” — Charles Bukowski

“You are the one thing in this world, above all other things, that you must never give up on. When I was in middle school, I was struggling with severe anxiety and depression and the help and support I received from my family and a therapist saved my life. Asking for help is the first step. You are more precious to this world than you’ll ever know.” — Lili Rhinehart

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green