World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October.
Poor mental health is not inevitable, and World mental Health Day is an opportunity for us all to talk about mental health and consider how, together, we can help everyone have better mental health.
This year’s theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health whatever they're going through, because everyone deserves good mental health.
Get involved
As World Mental Health Day approaches, there are lots of ways that you can get involved.
Download our posters and social media graphics and share them to help spread the word. You can join us in raising awareness about mental health on social media by following us on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn.
Celebrate with a Tea & Talk! Last year, thousands of people had a Tea & Talk for World Mental Health Day - raising vital funds for mental health whilst getting together and talking about mental health. Every donation supports our life-changing work and brings us closer to a world with good mental health for all.
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Tea and Talk
Research shows that talking is good for your mental health, and that’s what Tea & Talk is all about! We've got loads of resources to make your event a success. Hold your own Tea & Talk and raise money for our vital work.
Find out more
Download World Mental Health Day resources
Posters
Use our PDF posters to raise awareness and promote what you're doing to get involved.
Social media graphics
Use our social media graphics to raise awareness and share the campaign online.
Talking about mental health
World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity for us to come together to talk about mental health and show everyone that is matter.
Talking is good for your mental health. And talking about mental health is important. But starting a conversation isn’t always easy. Whether you’d like to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, or check-in with someone you care about, here are some tips that can help.
1. Choose someone you trust to talk to
This might be a friend, family member or a colleague. Or you might be more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know, for example, through a support helpline. It can help to do a pros and cons list about talking to someone.
2. Think about the best place to talk
It’s important to choose a place where you feel comfortable enough to open-up. You might want to choose somewhere private where you’re less likely to be disturbed. You also might want to talk while you do an activity, like walking together.
3. Prepare yourself for their reaction
Hopefully, you will have a good experience when you open-up to someone. But there’s a chance that they may not react in the way you hope. This may be for different reasons, like they may be worried or not fully understand at first. If that’s the case, try to give them time to process what you’ve told them. It might help to give them information to read to help them understand. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself and practise self-care.
1. Find a good space to talk without distractions
If you’re worried about someone, try to find a place where you know you can have a conversation without being distracted. Make sure to give them your full attention. It might help to switch off your phone.
2. Listen and ask questions
Listening can be one of the most valuable ways to be there for someone. Show them that you’re actively listening by facing them, making eye contact, and not interrupting. Questions can help you clarify what they mean and also show that you’re actively listening. But make sure the questions are relevant to what they’re saying, and not changing the subject.
3. Ask how you can help
Ask how you can help or make suggestions, rather than telling them what to do next. They might want support with making a GP appointment, help around the house, or just for you to keep things normal and chat about what’s going on in your life.
Get help
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you are not alone, and there are places you can go to get help.
Find help