PURPOSE: The overall objective of World Mental Health Day observed on 10 october, is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. It represent an opportunity for people and communities to unite behind the theme to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health. This includes the right to be protected from mental health risks, the right to available, accessible, acceptable, and good quality care, and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community. Good mental health is vital to our overall health and well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. This year, we will showcase the efforts made in some of these countries and encourage people to highlight positive stories as part of their own activities, as an inspiration to others.
FORUM: "Mental health in humanitarian emergencies." World Mental Health Day 2025. The observance of the Day serves as a powerful reminder that there is no health without mental health. This year’s campaign focuses on the urgent need to support the mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies. Crises such as natural disasters, conflicts, and public health emergencies cause emotional distress, with one in five individuals experiencing a mental health condition. Supporting the mental well-being of individuals during such crises is not just important – it saves lives, gives people the strength to cope, the space to heal and to recover and rebuild not only as individuals but as communities. That’s why it is essential for everyone, including government officials, health and social care providers, school staff and community groups to come together. By working hand in hand, we can ensure the most vulnerable have access to the support they need while protecting the well-being of everyone. By investing in evidence and community-based interventions, we can address immediate mental health needs, foster long-term recovery, and empower people and communities to rebuild their lives and thrive. On this World Mental Health Day, let us intensify our efforts to create a world where mental health is valued, protected, and accessible for all, especially in the face of adversity.
KEY MESSAGE:
Investing in mental health is investing in recovery: Investing in mental health and psychosocial support helps families, communities, and economies recover from crises, build long-term resilience, and shape stronger health systems. Protect your mental health: Prioritize your mental health by staying connected, being physically active, and following routines. Minimize alcohol use, engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities, and seek support from trusted friends, family, or health professionals
Mental health is essential for rebuilding lives: Beyond food, water, and medicine, survivors also need mental health and psychosocial support to cope, recover, and rebuild.
Mental health care saves lives: The Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Minimum Service Package offers proven solutions in emergencies, ensuring timely, coordinated care that reduces suffering, strengthens well-being, and builds more inclusive responses.
Promoting mental well-being through various approaches: A layered approach – from self-help tools and Psychological First Aid to specialized mental health services – ensures accessible, efficient, and responsive support for all.
Integrating mental health strengthens emergency response: Making mental health and psychosocial support a core part of emergency response not only saves lives but also strengthens communities and health systems for the future. Inclusive mental health care leads to stronger communities: Inclusive support must reach children, older people, persons with disabilities, refugees, and people with pre-existing mental health conditions, including those in institutions. Addressing barriers such as stigma, discrimination, costs, and language is essential. Protect the well-being of humanitarian workers: Humanitarian workers face extreme stress and are often directly affected by the crises they respond to. Organizations should provide rest, supervision, peer support, and workplace mental health programmes to sustain an effective humanitarian response.
Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WMHD, #10October, #MentalHealth, #WorldMentalHealthDay.
EVENTS: On Friday, 10 October 2025 starting at 14:00 CET / 12:00 UTC, a webinar with the World Health Organization, World Federation for Mental Health, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, international non-governmental organizations, civil society, and donors, with insights on concrete actions and strategies to improve access to mental health and psychosocial support before, during, and after humanitarian emergencies. To join WMHD 2025 webinar, please register!
At UNHQ; A commemoration of World Mental Health Day 2025, focusing on the theme "Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies." The event highlights the critical importance of supporting the mental well-being of both affected communities and UN personnel responding to crises. When disasters, conflicts, or displacement occur, the psychological toll can be immense—affecting humanitarian workers, their families, and the communities they serve. This event will examine global trends in psychological trauma in emergency contexts and feature a human-centered discussion on mental health care and support for UN personnel. Related Sites and Documents: Healthy Workforce & World Mental Health Day page & More Information.Watch Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies!
At UN Geneva; This event is part of a two-day conference organized by European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology (EAOHP) at the ILO, aimed at sharing knowledge, experiences, and good practices in regulation and policy initiatives. Watch the sychosocial risks and mental health at work in the future: Promoting evidence-based policy making!
EXHIBITS: Embrace the power of expression through our Voices of the Workplace and Express through Arts initiatives, as we endeavor to illuminate a plethora of narratives and experiences. Lean more about the exhibits!
STATEMENTS: Read the Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on World Mental Health Day 2025, the statement of the WHO Regional Office for Africa by the Director on World Mental Health Day 2025. the statement of the Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use department Director, the message of the President of the World Federation for Mental Health on World Mental Health Day 2025; October 10th.
PODCASTS: Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need. Listen to the Podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the Global Campaign 2024 and engage with Voices of the workplace initiative by sharing your message. You can download the Campaign Toolkit to learn more about how you can organize a demonstration in support of mental health and participate in the Campaign. Let’s unite and advocate for prioritizing mental health in the workplace to create environments of well-being for all!. Get the WMHD2024 communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE DE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
We celebrate the World Mental health Day on October 10th every year to focus on:
01 - Limited value and attention to mental health; 02 - Widespread stigma and discrimination; 03 - Services are underfunded and underesourced; 04 - Little acknowledgement of the determinants of mental health; 05 - Few and fragmented promotion and prevention programmes; 06-Predominantly biomedical approach to care; 07 - Care that ignores people’s own perspectives, priorities and human rights; 08 - Mental health care only provided by the health sector; 09 - Fragmented services with uneven access and coverage; 10 - Care centred on psychiatric hospitals; 11 - Mental health care not available in primary health care; 12 - Community providers and informal support for mental health are ignored.
Deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments.
Match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors.
Strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.
Share the Action Plan flyers: What Member States can do and What partners can do.
Key shifts to transform mental health for all.
01- Mental health must be valued by all; 02 - Equal participation in society free from discrimination; 03- Services are appropriately budgeted and resourced across sectors; 04 - Real and active multisectoral collaboration on the determinants of mental health; 05 - Strategic and well-functioning promotion and prevention programmes; 06 - A balanced, evidence-based biopsychosocial approach to care; 07 - Person-centred, human rights-based, recovery-oriented care; 08 - Mental health care is embedded in services across sectors; 09 - Coordinated services with universal health coverage; 10 - Network of community-based mental health services Mental health care integrated in primary health care; 11 - Mental health care integrated in primary health care; 12 - Community providers and informal support are be activated and strengthened to support people.
The World Mental health Day is hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO), The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH); The WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region; The WHO European Region; The WHO Headquarters; The WHO Region of the Americas; The WHO South-East Asia Region; The WHO Western Pacific Region.
With the participation of the multistakeholders, Civil Society Organizations; Non-Governmental Organization, Mental Health hospitals, Neurologists, Specialists, Psychologists, Psychiatres, Researchers and academics.