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Why World Mental Health Day Matters
By Sarah Kline, Co-Founder and CEO of UnitedGMH
This World Mental Health Day United for Global Mental Health will be celebrating with thousands of people and organisations around the world as they mark the day with activities calling for action on mental health.
On our recent webinar 347 people joined us to share their plans for World Mental Health Day and we heard from a range of organisations including the WHO, UNICEF, World Federation for Mental Health and Wellcome.
We know from our partners in multiple countries – including those who are part of the Global Mental Health Action Network – that this World Mental Health Day will be bigger than ever. Activities are taking place worldwide from Argentina, Indonesia and Liberia, to New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.
The GMHAN membership is sharing plans through Circle – the virtual community for GMHAN – and adding information to a special calendar that details events in different countries. We encourage everyone to share their plans and support one another to amplify their work.
The hashtags will be #WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #WMHD2022.
If you’re not already a member of the Global Mental Health Action Network, join 2,147 members from 127 countries here.
Ending Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health – Join us for the launch of the Lancet Commission Report
UnitedGMH is particularly proud to be helping launch the Lancet Commission on Ending Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health.
We believe that only by tackling stigma and discrimination can we truly hope to break down the barriers for those seeking support for their mental health – whether that support is sought from their families or communities, in schools, the workplace or in the healthcare system.
It is often stigma and discrimination that prevents people from seeking help when they need it most. And it is stigma and discrimination that can lead to the abuse and mistreatment of vulnerable people in their time of greatest need.
This is especially true in countries where suicide is illegal and where the human rights of people living with mental health conditions are not upheld. We have made those issues organisational priorities and we have projects running to help decriminalise suicide and uphold the rights of everyone to good mental health.
All countries, everywhere, need to improve the way in which people with mental health conditions are treated – whether that is in their communities, workplace or the institutions designed to help the most in need.
We will be joining with The Lancet, the WHO and a range of national partners and global organisations in the launch of The Lancet Commission on World Mental Health Day.
And we will work very hard to ensure the recommendations from the Lancet Commission – whether for governments, the media or health care professionals – are fully delivered in the coming months and years. We look forward to seeing you there.
The launch of the Lancet Commission on Ending Stigma and Discrimination in Mental Health takes place on Monday, October 10, and 12-13:30 CSET.