World Mental Health day is a reminder to check in on yourself and those you love.
10th October 2022
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10th October every year.
The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority‘.
Most of us will know someone who has been affected by mental health issues or may have been affected personally.
This isn’t surprising, given that:
Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year*.
1 in 6 people in England report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week*.
As many as 1 in 6 children aged five to sixteen were identified as having a probable mental health problem in July 2020**.
It’s easy to read statistics like this and just keep reading without actually absorbing them, but if you take a moment to think about your families and wider friendship groups there will be a number of people that you know (or maybe even live with) who will be affected.
You might not be aware of who they are – as many still don’t feel comfortable admitting to others that they are struggling and it’s often friends or family who will be the guiding force, encouraging them to seek help.
Of course, it isn’t just a one-day event, but a reminder that it’s a year-round battle for many. You can be the person who could make a difference to a friend or loved one on World Mental Health Day and beyond.
“World Mental Health Day 2022 is a reminder to check in on yourself and those you love”.
*Source: www.mind.org.uk
**Source: www.youngminds.org.uk
