World Mental Health Day is October 10
October 10, 2023, is World Mental Health Day with the theme ‘Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.’ This year, the campaign raises awareness about the importance of mental health as an indispensable universal human right, with the vision of fostering a world that values and nurtures the well-being of all.
It advocates that everybody should receive quality mental health care and that the human rights and well-being of people with mental illness are respected in all parts of the world. Every person with a mental health difficulty has a right to the following:
- The right to be protected from known harms to mental health; a universal right which applies to the entire population, but especially the vulnerable including children, minorities and displaced peoples.
- The right to access quality and affordable care when a person is struggling with their mental health.
- The right to freedom and dignity, including the right of choice.
Workplaces can protect mental health
We believe that all employees have the right to a safe and healthy environment at work. Good employment supports mental health by providing the following:
- A livelihood
- A sense of confidence, purpose and achievement
- An opportunity for positive relationships and inclusion in a community
- A platform for structured routines, among many other benefits
For people with mental health conditions, employment can contribute to recovery and inclusion, improve confidence and social functioning.
Safe and healthy working environments are not only a fundamental right, but are also more likely to minimize tension and conflicts at work and improve staff retention, work performance and productivity.
Be a local champion of mental health
World Mental Health Day was founded by the World Federation for Mental Health. This year, the federation recognizes the seventy-fifth anniversary of this event.
You can help strengthen global efforts towards making mental health a universal human right.
We invite you to join this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign at World Mental Health Day and learn how to be a local champion of mental health at World Federation for Mental Health.
