World Mental Health Day 2024

World Mental Health Day happened on Thursday 10th October 2024. The official theme set annually by the World Federation for Mental Health was: “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace”.

Bookmark this page to find out about 2025’s theme and how to get involved. 

As we observe World Mental Health Day, it’s crucial to shine a light on one of the most pressing issues affecting modern workplaces: burnout. In our fast-paced world, more employees are experiencing chronic stress that leads to burnout.

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s gradual and can take hold before you’re truly aware of it. It doesn’t just affect individual wellbeing; it has far-reaching consequences for organisations too.

We’re calling for everyone to take shared responsibility for workplace mental health. From employers to employees, executives to managers, we must unite in educating ourselves and one another to recognise the signs of poor mental health and provide mutual support so that we can create healthier, more resilient workplaces where mental wellbeing is a priority for all.

By addressing workplace burnout on this World Mental Health Day, we can create a more productive, engaged, and fulfilled workforce. A mentally healthy workplace is a thriving workplace. Let’s work together to combat poor mental health and burnout and foster environments where everyone can flourish.

Heemali shares her story of burnout

Heemali reflects on how her physical and mental health began to suffer, as increased targets and workloads in her corporate role took a toll. Through courage, compassion and commitment to her own wellbeing, Heemali’s passion fuelled a new career.

World Mental Health Day workplace resources

It’s everyone’s responsibility to champion mental health in the workplace.


Print and display these World Mental Health Day posters to spread awareness about burnout, self-care steps, and how your workplace prioritises mental health.

Conversation guide: talking to an employee about burnout

Conversation guide: talking to your manager about burnout

Spot the signs of burnout
A4 poster

Burnout self-care steps
A4 poster

Prioritising your mental health
A4 empty belly poster

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10% training discount

This October, enjoy 10%* off our top three popular mental health training courses:

  • Mental Health Awareness
  • Mental Health in the Workplace (for managers)
  • Introduction to Supportive Conversations

* Valid for bookings throughout October using link below. Training must be redeemed by the end of this year.

Other workplace resources

Workplace Mental Health and Training team have developed these helpful resources to encourage and support employers and employees to create a healthy and positive work environment.

Managing stress and building resilience

A great tool for employees to analyse their individual triggers for poor-mental health and stress. This short guide shares practical tips on how to cope with stress, and also how to support your team as a manager.

Create a wellbeing plan

Engage with this activity that gets you thinking about what components make up good mental health for you, and what the early-warning signs are that you might be struggling. Perfect for colleagues to complete in their own time and refer back to.

Stress bucket activity

Healthy levels of stress can be helpful on occasions, but it can also leave us feeling overloaded. This simple tool helps us to think about ways we can process, understand and manage stress in a healthy way.

Conversation guide: talking to someone about mental health

Read our guide for tips on how to initiate a supportive conversation about someone’s mental health.

Mobile-friendly   Printer-friendly

Take on the challenge

Move it for Mental Health

Set yourself a distance and a route for October and walk, run, cycle, or skip – and take on this challenge for World Mental Health Day. Get a workplace team together or gather family and friends.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is an annual awareness day observed every 10th October. It’s the World’s Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) initiative with the objectives to raise awareness of mental health matters around the world, to mobilize efforts in support of mental health, and to reduce stigma. Every year WFMH publish a theme which is voted for by stakeholders of the founding organisation.

What happens on World Mental Health Day?

Like most awareness days, weeks and months, it throws a spotlight on a topic of great importance. Everyone has mental health – it matters 365 days of the year, but the 10th October is a chance for everyone to unite across the globe to educate and raise awareness of mental health matters. It encourages everyone to look after their own mental health and those of others through greater understanding and empathy. Organisations often use awareness days to promote and seek support for their services to ensure that people have the help they need.

How can you celebrate World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day can be celebrated in so many ways and it doesn’t necessarily depend upon the theme. Many charitable organisations create resources such as posters to encourage promotion of the day and some hold events or activities to celebrate and fundraise to support the mental health services they provide. Everyone can create their own initiatives or amplify the reach of others across the sector. Social media is often pivotal to encouraging and sharing awareness day initiatives, so whatever you do, don’t forget to use the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay

 

Information and support

Mental health conditions

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mental health condition you may be looking for more information. Our advice pages are a great place to learn more about a range of mental health conditions and the treatment and support available.

Conversation Guide: talking to someone about mental health

World Mental Health Day might be the first you decide to talk openly about mental health with a friend, family member or colleague. It can be tricky to know how to have that chat, or to find the ‘right’ words once you do. That’s exactly why we’ve created this conversation guide. We also have a mobile-friendly and printer-friendly version available.

Connect with others on Clic

We believe that no one should be lonely or isolated. That’s why we set up Clic – our online community here for everyone’s mental health. Clic helps thousands of people feel more connected and less alone. By offering resources and facilitating a safe environment where people can chat online, Clic gives users the tools to not just manage their mental health, but to thrive too.