World Mental Health Day is celebrated on the 10th of October annually, with the aim of increasing awareness about mental health issues and promoting mental well-being. It offers a chance to combat the stigma associated with mental health and urge individuals to seek assistance and support when required. Across the globe, various organisations and communities arrange events, discussions, and activities to tackle mental health concerns, educate the public, and campaign for enhanced mental health services and resources.

Presented by the World Federation of Mental Health, the goal is to help raise mental health awareness. Each of us can make a contribution to ensure that people dealing with problems concerning mental health can live better lives with dignity. The stigma attached to mental health causes a damaging, albeit ill-informed, attitude, making it more difficult for those affected to pursue help. This year’s theme highlights,Β β€˜mental health is a universal human right’.

Read: 5 books for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

According to UK estimates, only about one-fourth of those with mental health problems undergo ongoing treatment. By stark contrast, the vast majority of those affected with these problems are faced with a variety of issues, ranging from isolation to uncertainty on where to get help or information, to relying on the informal support of family, friends or colleagues.

Recent figures from the Mental Health Foundation found that children and adults in the lowest income bracket were two to three times more likely to develop mental health problems than in the highest. Whilst asylum seekers were five times more to have mental health needs than the general population. And 38% of people with mental health issues also have long term physical health conditions.

Here are some harrowing personal reads from people living through various stages of life.

Best books for World Mental Health Day

Read: Talk To Us campaign: 5 books on mental health

Remember to check local libraries, bookstores, or online retailers for these books, as they can be valuable resources for understanding and improving mental health on World Mental Health Day and beyond.

Check out the episode on communicating on time to talk day.

This article contains affiliate links via Bookshop.org in which we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, in order to support local bookshops.Β We have not been commissioned to review books and services.

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