World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is observed globally every year on 10th October to raise awareness and promote support for mental health.
Theme:
2025 Theme: “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”
Focus: The theme emphasizes the need for individuals to safeguard their mental well-being during times of global uncertainty and instability.
Exam Hints:
- Event: World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2025
- When? October 10
- 2025 Theme: “Access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies”
- Origin: Started in 1992 by WFMH under Richard Hunter
- First Observed: 10th October 1992
- WHO Role: Leading global campaign since 2013
- Symbol: Green ribbon
- WFMH World Congress 2025: Barcelos, Portugal(October 30–November 1, 2025)
Background:
Origin: WMHD was initiated in 1992 as an annual activity by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), under the leadership of then Deputy Secretary-General Richard Hunter.
First Observation: The first WMHD was observed on 10th October 1992.
WHO’s Role: Since 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been leading and organizing the global campaign for WMHD.
Symbol: The green ribbon is the global symbol of mental health, representing hope, strength, and support.
Keyfacts:
Conflict Zone Impact: Around 1 in 5 people in conflict areas experience mental health conditions, with fear, anxiety, or sadness as normal stress responses.
Migrants & Refugees:By 2024, over 123 million were forcibly displaced, facing stress from conflict, displacement, and integration, with 71% in resource-strained countries.
2025 Events:
WMHD 2025 Webinar: A webinar on “Access to Mental Health in Emergencies” was held for WMHD 2025 to emphasize mental health support during crises.
WFMH World Congress on Mental Health 2025:
The WFMH World Congress on Mental Health 2025 will be held in Barcelos, Portugal, from October 30 to November 1, 2025, in a hybrid format (in-person and virtual).
- Theme: “Mental Health and Social Sustainability: A Whole Society and Community-Based Approach.”
- The biennial congress, first held in 1948, is co-organized by the Municipality of Barcelos and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH).
Observance in India : On the occasion of WMHD 2025, Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW), launched several new initiatives under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele-MANAS) to enhance accessibility and inclusivity of mental health services across India.
- Enhanced Tele-MANAS Features: The new initiatives include the launch of enhanced features for the Tele-MANAS App, such as a multilingual user interface (UI), AI-powered chatbot, accessibility options, and an emergency support module.
- Languages: The app will now be available in 10 regional languages: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Punjabi—in addition to English and Hindi.
- Enhancements: The app now offers features for visually impaired users, an Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ‘Asmi’ to assist with mental health guidance, and an emergency response module to ensure timely help during crises.
- Mental Health Ambassador:Renowned actor Deepika Padukone has been appointed as the Mental Health Ambassador to promote awareness and access to mental health services.
About World Federation for Mental Health(WFMH):
President- Tsuyoshi Akiyama
Headquarters- Virginia, the United States of America (USA)
Established– 1948
