World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is annually observed across the globe on 10 October to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.
- WMHD is a global health campaign that aims to encourage people around the world to support the cause and establish a healthy environment in all aspects of life to support mental health.
WMHD is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), and its member organisations.
Symbol:Â The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness.
2023 Global Campaign:
The 2023 Global Campaign aims to recognise the 75th Anniversary of WFMH (founded in 1948) and WMHD 2023.
According to WFMH, the theme of the World Mental Health Day Global Campaign 2023 is “Mental health is a universal human right.”
- The theme focuses on improving knowledge, raising awareness, and driving actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right.
Note: Since 2013, WHO has organized a global campaign for WMHD.
Background:
i.World Mental Health Day was started as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health(WFMH) by the then Deputy Secretary General Richard Hunter.
ii.WMHD was observed for the first time on 10 October 1992.
iii.In 1994, WMHD adopted its first theme, “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.”
- The then Secretary-General Eugene Brody introduced the concept of an annual theme for WMHD.
Efforts of WHO:
i.According to the WHO, Mental, neurological, and substance use disorders collectively contribute to over 10% of the world’s disease burden.
ii.Depression and anxiety disorders, among the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide, cost the global economy a staggering USD 1 trillion annually due to lost productivity.
- In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), 85% of people with mental disorders receive no treatment.
iii.To address the Global Mental Health Crisis, in 2018, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General identified mental health as an area that needed accelerated action.
- Established the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health, covering the 5-year period 2019-2023. It was launched in 2019 for implementation over 5 years, in 12Â countries.
- The vision of the WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health is that all people achieve the highest standard of mental health and well-being.
iv.WHO member states are committed to implementing the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030, to improve mental health by:
- Strengthening effective leadership and governance;
- Providing comprehensive, integrated, and responsive community-based care;
- Implementing promotion and prevention strategies; and
- Strengthening information systems, evidence, and research.
Key Facts:
i.According to the WHO:
- 1 in 8 individuals worldwide lives with a mental health condition.
- Women and young people are significantly more affected by mental health issues.
- 3 out of 4 people affected with mental health conditions receive inadequate treatment or none at all.
ii.According to the WHO, India bears a significant burden of mental health problems, with 2443 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 100,000 population.
- The economic loss due to mental health conditions in India projected between 2012 and 2030, is estimated at a staggering USD 1.03 trillion.
About World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH):
Secretary General/CEO– Gabriel Ivbijaro
President– Dr Nasser Loza (Egypt)
President-Elect– Tsuyoshi Akiyama (Japan)
Headquarters– Texas, United States of America (USA)
Established in 1948
