10th October 2024, is World Mental Health Day and marks the 76th anniversary of mental health advocacy by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The WFMH’s core mission revolves around fostering a greater global understanding of mental health, working proactively to prevent the onset of mental disorders, and advocating meaningful changes whilst championing recovery-oriented approaches.
The organisation aims to heighten public awareness about the significance of mental health, improve attitudes towards mental disorders, and promote mental well-being to enhance the care, treatment, and recovery of individuals.
It’s reported that in England, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year, and 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression in any given week.
This year, the World Mental Health Day theme is a call to action: ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’. The theme reflects the awareness of an urgent need for change. World Mental Health Day provides the opportunity to rekindle our efforts to make the world a better place, inviting you to organise an event(s) in your schools, colleges, residential complexes, or workplace and directly involve yourself in the furtherance of the cause.
Whether it’s you who’s directly affected or someone you know, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Here are a few helpful links to some different charities and helplines that can provide the support you or someone else might need:
Mind
The mental health charity provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. If you need urgent help, you can contact Mind in a number of different ways. Find Out More
Samaritans
If you want to talk about anything that is bothering you or upsetting you, you can call Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected], or visit a branch in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7 pm–11 pm every day).
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably is leading a movement against suicide. If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5 pm-midnight every day) or contact them using their webchat service during the same hours.
NHS
For more resources or to get help with your mental health, this NHS web page has more helpful resources.
