World Mental Health Day (10 October) is a global day dedicated to mental health education, awareness, and activism in the face of social stigma.
“Your mental health is a PRIORITY, Your happiness is ESSENTIAL, Your self-care is a NECESSITY.”
It was established in 1992 at the request of the World Federation for world Mental Health, a global mental health organisation with members and contacts in over 150 countries.
ON THIS DAY, Thousands of supporters gather on this day every October to commemorate the annual awareness campaign to raise awareness of mental illness and its devastating affects on people’s lives all around the world.
In some countries, such as Australia, this day is part of a week-long awareness campaign, such as Mental Health Week.
HISTORY OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
On the proposal of Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter, World Mental Health Day was first observed on October 10, 1992. Until 1994, there was no defined subject for the day other than encouraging mental health advocacy and public education.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY THEMES
1994 : Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World
1996 : Women and Mental Health
1997 : Children and Mental Health
1998 : Mental Health and Human Rights
1999 : Mental Health and Aging
2000-01 : Mental Health and Work
2002 : The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children & Adolescents
2003 : Emotional and Behavioural Disorders of Children & Adolescents
2004 : The Relationship Between Physical & Mental Health: co-occurring disorders
2005 : Mental and Physical Health Across the Life Span
2006 : Building Awareness – Reducing Risk: Mental Illness & Suicide
2007 : Mental Health in A Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity
2008 : Making Mental Health a Global Priority: Scaling up Services through Citizen Advocacy and Action
2009 : Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health
2010 : Mental Health and Chronic Physical Illnesses
2011 : The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health
2012 : Depression: A Global Crisis
2013 : Mental health and older adults
2014 : Living with Schizophrenia
2015 : Dignity in Mental Health
2016 : Psychological First Aid
2017 : Mental health in the workplace
2018 : Young people and mental health in a changing world
2019 : Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
2020 : Move for mental health: Increased investment in mental health
2021 : Mental Health in an Unequal World
WHAT REALLY IS THIS MENTAL ILLNESS?
Mental illness, also known as mental health disorders, encompasses a broad range of disorders that affect your mood, thinking, and behaviour.
Depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and addictive behaviours are all examples of mental disease.
Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.
A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life, such as at school or work or in relationships. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
SYMPTOMS
Depending on the diagnosis, circumstances, and other factors, the signs and symptoms of mental illness might vary. Emotions, beliefs, and behaviours can all be affected by mental disease symptoms.
The following are some examples of indications and symptoms:
- Feeling unhappy or depressed?
- Excessive fears or worries, or excessive feelings of guilt
Significant exhaustion, low energy, or sleeping difficulties
- Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations are all examples of delusions.
- Inability to deal with day-to-day issues or stress.
- Having difficulty comprehending and responding to situations and people.
- Alcohol or drug abuse problems
- There have been significant changes in the way people eat
- Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate.
- Extreme mood changes of highs and lows.
