World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day History

World Mental Health Day seeks to raise awareness and destigmatise mental health issues. Established by the World Federation for Mental Health, the observance encourages wide-ranging discussions and educative programs centred across mental health promotion and suicide prevention. Through facilitating greater understanding and fostering supportive environments, World Mental Health Day aims to build resilience in communities and ensure that sufferers of mental illness receive appropriate and timely intervention and care.

This campaign has a particular resonance for New Zealand, which has experienced a steady increase in mental health issues in recent years. In response to this growing concern, the local government and various non-profit organisations have actively promoted awareness and support in conjunction with World Mental Health Day. New Zealand's efforts align with the global theme set each year by the World Health Organisation; in 2021, for example, the focus was "Mental Health in an Unequal World," which highlights the disproportionate effects of mental health issues on different population groups. 

In New Zealand, World Mental Health Day is observed through various activities, including educational seminars, webinars, community programmes and social media campaigns. These events aim to facilitate mental health education, open conversations about mental health, and increase awareness of available support and resources. New Zealand joins nations worldwide on October 10th each year to observe World Mental Health Day in a collective commitment to addressing and improving mental health outcomes for individuals and communities.

World Mental Health Day facts

• The theme for World Mental Health Day in 2023 was Mental health is a universal human right.
• Around 20% of the world’s children and adolescents have a mental health condition, with suicide the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.
• People with severe mental health conditions die prematurely – as much as two decades early – due to preventable physical conditions.
• The most common mental health disorders in the country are anxiety disorder (estimated to affect approximately 6% of adults), and depressive disorder (affecting about 7% of adults).
• Despite the high rates of mental illness, a significant percentage of those with mental health issues in New Zealand do not receive treatment due to barriers such as access, cost, and stigma.

In the News and Trending in NZ for World Mental Health Day

Top things to do in NZ for World Mental Health Day

• Evaluate your own mental well-being or that of someone you are close to.
  - Are you always sad?
  - Do you have suicidal thoughts?
  - Do you feel that you have no reason to live?
• Visit a psychologist to discuss any problems that have overwhelmed you lately.
• Take the day to focus on your own mental well-being. Engage in activities such as meditation, yoga, journaling, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy and relaxation.
• Use World Mental Health Day as an opportunity to reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who may be struggling with their mental health. Send a supportive message, invite them for a chat, or simply let them know you're there for them.