World Mental Health Day
10 Oct 2019
Today marks World Mental Health Day (WMHD), an annual campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health issues.
Recognised by the World Health Organisation, WMHD happens on October 10 every year in an effort to open up a dialogue for sufferers.
Each year the campaign has a different theme, with this year's being suicide prevention. Organisers are asking people for just "40 seconds of action to raise awareness of the scale of suicide around the world and the role that each of us can play to help prevent it".
So what is World
Mental Health Day 2019 and how can you get involved? Here is all you need to know.
What is World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day is held on October 10 each year, not only to raise awareness of mental health issues but also mobilise "efforts in support of mental health".
According to the WHO, the day "provides an opportunity for stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide".
Set up in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, WMHD marks each year with a different theme and this year's is suicide prevention.
Other sources of help include:
- Samaritans offer a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week support service. Call them FREE on 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org
- Papyrus is a dedicated service for people up to the age of 35 who are worried about how they are feeling or anyone concerned about a young person. You can call the HOPElineUK number on 0800 068 4141, text 07786 209697 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- NHS Choices: 24-hour national helpline providing health advice and information. Call them free on 111.
- C.A.L.M.: National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling. Call 0800 58 58 58.
- Support After Suicide Partnership offers practical and emotional support on their website for people bereaved and affected by suicide.