We are excited to announce the celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10th. Although mental health is a primary health concern all year round, World Mental Health Day is a regular reminder that there remains work to do.
Indeed, the 2021 campaign slogan for World Mental Health Day is “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality”.
The clarion call to action highlights how inequalities worldwide prevent people from receiving adequate mental treatment or support. While causes for these inequalities can range from economic-related and age to education level and geographical location, the gap in care is prominent.
Yet, as much as the campaign slogan brings visibility to the issue, there is more than what meets the eye. World Mental Health Day of 2021 also leverages the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic to spotlight a grand opportunity before us, that is…to take actual action. With government and authorities’ gathered support for scaling up mental health services, the so-called reality of equitable access to mental care can be more than just an empty promise of words and ideals.
In today’s post, we want to showcase what some organizations and countries are doing to support the cause. You’ll even find some statistics and figures to contextualize the gravity of the problem. Finally, we’ll include actions and resources provided by the World Health Organization so you, too, can make mental health care a reality possible for all.
A Pledge to Make A Difference (The UK)
“Forward together for mental health” is the latest video campaign promoted by Mental Health UK for World Mental Health Day 2021. Collaborating with ITN Productions Industry News, the two organizations will ramp up mental health awareness with human-interest stories, key industry interviews, learnings, and sponsored editorial profiles from reputable organizations and industry leaders.
They’ll also leverage the program to address topics that lay the footing for inequalities in mental health care access, including clinical care, social connectedness, physical health, housing, financial uncertainty, and more.
Finally, viewers will have the chance to join the efforts and make a pledge that underpins their role in supporting those affected by poor mental health. The pledge offers participants to explore two central questions to shaping a more equitable world:
- What’s the world you want to see?
- What’s the unique contribution you can make to turn that world into a reality?
According to data provided by the Office for National Statistics (source: NHS Digital), children between 11-16 are more likely to experience a mental disorder if they live in unhealthy functioning families. Definition of family functioning included communication means, resolution of emotional conflicts, and intrafamily affection.
An Atlas of Resources (The World Health Organization)
The World Health Organization will charge the lead on World Mental Health Day to provide multiple resources and tools. Accompanied by a flyer for campaign purposes, the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan will be the latest document added to the international body’s website.
There will also be the new edition of WHO’s Mental Health Atlas to exhibit all other resources available for mental health, both in individual countries and across the globe.
Finally, the World Health Organization will gather testimonies from people whose mental health was impacted due to the pandemic. You’ll hear how they coped through the ebb and flow of the global health crisis and even gain insight into the future of mental health care.
(Visual)izing Possibilities (Spain)
In alignment with the World Mental Health Day 2021 slogan, the Confederación Salud Mental España (“Mental Health Spain Confederation” in English) will launch a series of visual images to raise mental health awareness.
Specifically, “Mental Health: A Necessary Right…It can be you tomorrow” splashes the images in the four co-official languages of Spain—Spanish, Catalan, Basque and Galician. The attempt to convey the message to the broadest audience is evident. With visuals like these, anyone can share the campaign on social media to reiterate the growing diversity of our society and highlight the real possibility that mental health issues can affect any individual.
Per the Spanish National Institute of Statistics, the number of deaths by suicide in Spain grew by 3.7% in 2019 compared to 2018. The ratio of males to females who die by suicide in Spain is 3:1.
Ready to Make a Difference?
For World Mental Health Day 2021, you won’t need to look far to discover how you can contribute to mental health awareness. You can already enjoy a head start on building visibility with some of the campaign actions mentioned above.
Regardless of what you do, though, your action is what matters. Each step taken is one step closer to a reality where all receive the mental health care we deserve and need.
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