The importance of World Mental Health Day and the 2025 theme.

World Mental Health Day 2025: History, themes, and how to find or offer support

To mark each October 10, the world pauses to remember that mental health matters. For many, those two words, World Mental Health Day, evoke images of green ribbons, webinars, social-media campaigns and appeals to “end the stigma”. But beneath the surface lies a deeper purpose: to reclaim mental health as a shared global priority, to ask how far we have come, and to explore what more is needed.

In a world that confronts conflict, inequality, climate crises and forced migration, the need for mental health care is urgent. In this article we trace the history and evolving significance of World Mental Health Day, review the themes of recent years (including 2025), and offer grounded advice to those who feel they might need help or who wish to lend a hand themselves.

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Origins: how World Mental Health Day began

World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992 under the auspices of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO). The impetus was to bring mental health into public conversation, to reduce stigma and encourage governments, NGOs, clinicians and communities to act.

In the earliest years the day lacked a fixed theme and served largely as a general rallying point. In 1994, at the suggestion of then-Secretary General Eugene Brody, WFMH introduced the first formal theme: “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.”

From that point onward, each year’s observance has had a theme sometimes modest, sometimes ambitious, sometimes provocative, which helps channel limited awareness efforts toward a sharper aim. Over the decades those themes have reflected changing global priorities: rights, workplace mental health, youth, suicide prevention, mental health in emergency settings, integration with physical health, and more.

The WHO supports the day by promoting campaign materials, encouraging governments and civil society organisations to join, and amplifying scientific and policy messages. Over time, the day has grown in visibility. Today many nations embed it into mental health awareness weeks, offer screenings or public talks, or mobilise communities to organise local events, media campaigns, or fundraising.

Recent themes: the last decade and 2025

Understanding recent themes provides insight into shifting priorities. According to WHO, the theme for 2025 is “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies” (sometimes framed as “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”).

Conflicts, natural disasters, displacement and public health crises exert heavy psychological tolls. The 2025 campaign spotlights the need to deliver mental health and psychosocial support in emergency responses, to build resilience and to integrate mental healthcare into crisis settings.

Looking back over roughly the last ten years, here is a selection of themes to show the range:

2024: Mental Health at Work

2023: Mental Health is a Universal Human Right

2022: Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority

2021: Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality

2020: Move for mental health: let’s invest

2019: Focus on suicide prevention

2018: Young people and mental health in a changing world

2017: Mental health in the workplace

2016: Psychological first aid

2015: Dignity in mental health

These themes show a progression from service quality, integration with physical health, youth and workplace focus, then rights and universal approaches, and now emergency and humanitarian contexts. The emphasis in 2025 is especially timely: conflicts in multiple regions, climate-driven disasters, mass displacement and pandemics mean that many more people are exposed to crisis conditions.

The 2025 theme underscores that in emergencies mental health cannot be an afterthought. It must be built into response systems alongside water, shelter, food and physical healthcare a recognition that emotional and psychological needs are central to survival, recovery and resilience.

Why World Mental Health Day still matters

World Mental Health Day remains relevant because mental health is often sidelined underfunded, ignored, stigmatized even as we fight for resources for infectious disease, cancer, cardiovascular illness and other major causes of mortality. Yet disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and severe mental illnesses contribute heavily to the global burden of disease and disability.

The day helps in several ways:

1. Raising awareness: Many people with mental health struggles feel isolated or misunderstood. The global focus encourages conversations, normalises seeking help, and challenges stigma.

2. Shaping policy and investment: A concerted annual campaign can motivate governments and institutions to allocate mental health budgets, adopt reforms, or enact laws to protect people with mental illness.

3. Mobilising action: The themed campaigns often come with toolkits, suggestions for events, webinars, press materials and technical guidance that NGOs and ministries can use.

4. Connecting networks: It gives NGOs, clinicians, researchers, service users and advocates a shared anchor date around which to plan joint work.

5. Monitoring progress: By comparing what is said and what is done each year, we can measure how far society has moved or not moved in addressing mental health gaps.

In short, World Mental Health Day is not a symbolic gesture. It is a pressure point, an opportunity to convert awareness into funding, policy, services and lasting social change.

Advice for individuals who feel they need help

If you believe you may need help with your mental health, the following steps may guide you:

Acknowledge what is happening
It is okay to experience distress. Anxiety, sadness, isolation, intrusive thoughts, low mood, trouble sleeping or concentration, or feeling persistently overwhelmed are signs that something may be wrong.

Reach out to someone you trust
Talk to a friend, family member, teacher or trusted colleague. You don’t need to explain everything; starting the conversation can relieve part of the burden.

Seek professional evaluation
A clinician psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker or counsellor can offer assessment, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment such as therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal therapy, trauma-informed approaches), counselling or medications where needed.

Use local resources and helplines
Many countries have mental health helplines. In crisis, go to your nearest emergency department. In non-emergency situations, look online or contact local NGOs or mental health services.

Adopt self-care routines
Routine sleep, physical activity, balanced nutrition, limiting substance use, keeping social contact, practising relaxation or mindfulness all help sustain mental well-being. These are supportive, but not replacement for professional care when needed.

Ask about peer support
Peer support groups whether in person or online offer connection with others who have had similar experiences. Sharing stories in a safe environment can reduce isolation and inspire hope.

Start small goals
When you’re struggling, large projects may seem impossible. Break tasks into small, manageable steps, and celebrate small achievements.

Consider combining approaches
Many people respond best to a mix of therapy, medication (if appropriate), lifestyle interventions, social support and structured follow-up. Collaborate with your clinician on a sustainable plan.

If you’re unsure where to begin, the WHO campaign at https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day provides information and links for many countries and resources globally.

How to volunteer, offer help or support others

If you want to help others or volunteer in the mental health space, your willingness is valuable. Here are ways to contribute responsibly:

Educate yourself
Learn about mental health literacy, common diagnoses, crisis response, ethical boundaries, confidentiality, suicide prevention training (e.g. QPR, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid) and cultural competence.

Partner with reputable organisations
Volunteer with established NGOs, mental health charities or local support groups. They often offer structured volunteer training and clear roles—whether helpline support, community outreach, awareness campaigns, administration, or peer support programmes.

Offer emotional presence
Sometimes the greatest gift is listening nonjudgementally. You can act as a safe, supportive presence for someone in distress (without overstepping into clinical territory).

Be cautious of boundaries
Unless you are a trained clinician, avoid diagnosing or prescribing interventions. If someone expresses suicidal thoughts or psychosis, encourage immediate help from professionals or emergency services.

Advocate and amplify voices
Use your social media platforms, blog, classroom, or workplace to promote mental health messaging, reduce stigma, highlight needs, promote policy change, or share resources.

Support fundraising or events
Participate in awareness campaigns, walks, fundraisers or peer-led events. Volunteer for event planning, setup, publicity or logistics.

Mentor or train
If you have lived experience and appropriate training, mentoring or being a peer volunteer helps others feel heard and connected. Some programmes welcome people with lived experience to share insight and hope.

Sustain your commitment and self-care
Helping others in mental health can weigh heavily. Ensure you have supervision, emotional support, breaks and boundaries to protect your own well-being.

Final thoughts

Every October 10, World Mental Health Day reminds us that mental health is not peripheral it is essential. The 2025 focus, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies”, presses us to recognise that in crises, psychological safety is as vital as food, shelter and clean water. But the day’s power also lies in its continuity: each year adds momentum, each campaign builds networks, each conversation chips away at stigma.

If you think you may need help, it is both brave and wise to seek it. If you would like to volunteer or support others, you can do so in ways that are safe, respectful, educated and sustainable. For those wishing to learn more about the global campaign, resources and participation, please visit https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day.

May this World Mental Health Day spur not only awareness, but lasting action locally and globally toward a world in which mental health care is available for all, in peace and in crisis alike.

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