World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10 every year to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
HISTORY
World Mental Health Day was firstly celebrated on October 10, 1992, by the World Federation of Mental Health led by the deputy secretary-general Richard Hunter. Before 1994, they had no specific theme for World Mental Health Day. Finally, in 1994, they decided to celebrate World Mental Health Day with a specific theme every year, at the suggestion of Secretary-General Eugene Brody. The first theme of World Mental Health Day in 1994 was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World”.
It is supported by WHO to raise awareness among people for the Mental Health Issue using its strong relationships with the Ministries of health and civil society organizations across the globe.
The celebration for World Mental Health Day occurs in many countries over the world, and the preparations to celebrate World Mental Health Day are made for months beforehand and in some countries, the program stretches over several days, or a week, or even in some cases the whole month.
As per WHO, Depression of the commonest mental health illness is one of the leading causes of disability while suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-old.
The main goal of World Mental Health Day is to spreading education about mental health issues across the globe
THEME
The theme of World Mental Health Day of 2021 is “Mental Health in an Unequal World’’.