A global day dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues and reducing the stigma surrounding them.
Date10 October
TopicHealth
Established1992
Ways to observe this day
Check in on your own mental wellbeing and seek support if needed
Reach out to a friend who may be struggling and simply listen
Share reliable mental health information on social media
Join a local event or talk on mental health awareness
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) first observed World Mental Health Day on October 10, 1992, an initiative led by then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter. Since then, the date has become an annual global observance embraced by the World Health Organization and the United Nations as part of broader efforts to advance mental health.
The day raises public awareness of mental health as an essential component of overall health, works to combat the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with mental health conditions, and calls for expanded access to psychological support and treatment services, particularly in low-resource countries where the treatment gap remains wide.
Health ministries, NGOs, and communities worldwide hold annual awareness activities around a different theme each year, including media campaigns, support workshops, and public discussions aimed at breaking the silence surrounding mental health.