What's Happening at Resource Hub in October?Enrichment

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is an international day observed on 10 October every year. Its overall objective is to educate and raise awareness of mental health issues around the world as well as mobilising efforts in support of mental health. It was first commemorated on 10 October 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter.

World Mental Health Day is supported by World Health Organization (WHO) through raising awareness on mental health issues using its strong relationships with the Ministries of Health and civil society organizations across the globe. WHO also supports with developing technical and communication materials.

Up until 1994, World Mental Health Day had no specific theme other than generally promoting mental health advocacy and educating the public. It was only in 1994, a theme was given to commemorate World Mental Health Day at the suggestion of then Secretary General Eugene Brody. The theme was "Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World".

This year’s theme will be “Mental Health in an Unequal World”; it was chosen by a global vote involving WFMH members, stakeholders and supporters. The theme will highlight that access to mental health services remains unequal. Many people with a mental illness do not receive the treatment that they deserve or are entitled to, regardless whether they are from a low, middle or high-income country. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the effects of inequality on health outcomes and no nation, however rich, has been fully prepared for this.

With the current global crisis that is resulting in widening health, economic and social inequalities, this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign will provide an opportunity for people to act and come together to highlight how inequality can be addressed to ensure that everyone is able to enjoy good mental health in the future.

Here are some online articles for your reading pleasure:

 https://bit.ly/2Zs5bRP     https://bit.ly/39BWlm