Mental Health Day is a way for people worldwide to create a unified voice regarding mental health awareness. Every year, people throughout the world celebrate World Mental Health Day on October 10th. Though mental health discussions should occur daily, there might be a reluctance to do so. Participating in events, activities, and other celebrations on this day can open the door to opportunity for these conversations and learning more about mental health treatment. For more information about your mental health treatment options, contact Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275 today.

The Birth of World Mental Health Day

While the World Federation for Mental Health began holding meetings in 1948, this global initiative didn’t start until the early 1990s. Even though Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992, it was three years before annual themes came to fruition. Examples of these themes include:

• 1994: Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World
• 2004: The Relationship Between Physical & Mental Health
• 2009: Mental Health in Primary Care
• 2014: Living with Schizophrenia
• 2019: Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

The theme for 2020’s Mental Health Day is Mental Health for All: Greater Investment – Greater Access. While this holiday is observed one day annually, people must keep in mind that it isn’t only a single-day celebration. There are months of preparation to create this long-term educational effort. Some countries celebrate for several days, one week, or throughout the entire month.

Ways to Celebrate Mental Health Day

It’s possible to celebrate Mental Health Day as part of a group event or individually. Here are some ways to celebrate this initiative:

• People can pledge that they’re going to make their mental health a priority daily
• Perform at least one healthy habit daily as a way of practicing self-care and nourishing mental health
• Participate in a workshop that is not only therapeutic but focuses on a person’s interests and needs
• Spread awareness regarding the importance of stopping the stigma surrounding mental health
• Offer support to those who are suffering within a person’s community
• Participate in local initiatives that help fight mental health disorders

The Importance of Celebrating The Holiday

Before reaching adulthood, many in the United States experience some form of depression. Furthermore, millions of American adults experience major depressive disorder each year. Celebrating Mental Health Day is much more than focusing on depression. It also brings awareness about other mental health conditions, including:

• Co-occurring disorders, including bipolar, eating disorders, and sleep disorders
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Panic disorder
• Depression
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Social anxiety disorder

The Goals Behind Mental Health Day

With the organization’s presence in more than 150 countries, the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) developed World Mental Health Day as an initiative to invite individuals to:

• Visualize their world as one where mental health is a priority for everyone
• Advocate against mental health’s social stigma and build awareness surrounding this topic
• Trigger discussions regarding best practices for advancing education about mental health at home, school, and work
• Celebrate individuals who are overcoming or have overcome mental health issues
• Empower people who are living in silence due to fears of being deprived of mental health treatment, or being discovered or misunderstood

Contact Foothills at Red Oak to Learn More

There’s no shame in learning more about your treatment options, and, on World Mental Health Day, that’s an excellent opportunity to do so. Celebrating this holiday not only opens up the door to healthy conversations, but it also educates people about how to find mental health treatment. If you still have questions, contact Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275 to learn more about this important initiative and how we can help.