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.
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
World Mental Health Day 2024
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.
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.
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.