World Mental Health Day (October 10) 2022: Importance, Theme, And Quotes

World Mental Health Day

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises October 10 as World Mental Health Day every year. The World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) established the World Mental Health Day in the early 1990s, and since then there has been a significant rise in efforts to create awareness about mental health. World Mental Health Day importance is that it serves as a reminder for people to be as sensitive towards mental health issues as they are to those of physical health. World health report is issued every year by the World Health Organization's (WHO)highlighting data on health and health-related indicators for its 194 Member States. However, the road to understanding the importance of mental health day and taking the required action as sensitive citizens is still a long one to go.

Read further to know about World Mental Health Day importance, quotes and themes.

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World Mental Health Day Importance

World Mental Health Day importance needs to be brought into awareness of children and adults alike. Every year on October 10, the globe celebrates World Mental Health Day to increase awareness of mental health concerns and to organise support for individuals who are dealing with them. The World Health Organisation (WHO) runs a global campaign for Mental Health Day every year since 2013. World Mental Health Day importance can be explained through the following points:-

• Mental Health Day serves as a reminder that it is equally important to nurture mental health as it is to nurture physical health.
• As responsible citizens of the society, we need to understand the World Mental Health Day importance and encourage de-stigmatisation of mental health issues.
• World Mental Health Day plays a significant role in mobilising efforts towards mental health awareness on a global level.

Read further to know about World Mental Health Day 2022 activities, quote on World Mental Health Day, and what is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2022.

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2022 World Mental Health Day Theme

“Make mental health and well-being for all a global priority” is the World Federation for Mental Health's 2022 World Mental Health Day theme.

“Appropriate care and social inclusion are still hampered by stigma and prejudice, but we can all do our part to raise awareness of the preventative mental health measures that are most effective, and World Mental Health Day is a chance for us to do so together. We see a society in which everyone has the same chance to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights, that mental health is recognised, promoted, and protected, and that everyone has access to the mental health treatment they require.

‘Making mental health and well-being for all a global priority’ is the 2022 World Mental Health Day theme of a campaign that will be launched by WHO in collaboration with partners. This will be a chance for those who have mental health issues, advocates, governments, employers, employees, and other stakeholders to come together to acknowledge progress in this area and to be vocal about what needs to be done to ensure mental health and well-being becomes a global priority for all” says the World Health Organization on its official website.

The World Mental Health Day themes evolved along with the times. Women, children, health, jobs, trauma, suicide, and a wide range of other issues were discussed. The ordinary individual today knows more about mental health as a result of the extension of the issues included in World Mental Health Day celebration.

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“Make Mental Health And Well-Being For All A Global Priority" - 2022 World Mental Health Day Theme

World Mental Health Day 2022 Activities

On World Mental Health Day 2022, schools across India conducted various World Mental Health Day 2022 activities, to spread amongst their students, awareness about the importance of mental health. Some of these World Mental Health Day 2022 activities conducted by schools are discussed below.

Delhi Public School (DPS), Chandigarh, held a session on 'Addiction' on October 8, to commemorate Mental Health Week, The session was facilitated by Dr. Ajeet Sidana from the Psychiatry department of Govt. Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh. Students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Sushant Lok, participated in Jagrit Hum 2022- an initiative aimed at fostering emotional wellness.

World Mental Health Day 2022: Notes For Parents & Teachers

People's mental health has been greatly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some groups have been particularly impacted, including students, persons living alone, frontline workers in healthcare and other fields, and those with pre-existing mental health disorders. Parents and teachers remain two of the most important stakeholders of mental health. Small steps taken by them on World Mental Health Day may bring a huge and positive change to the future of today’s children.

“Parents must resist the impulse to instruct kids on how to handle situations and be involved in all decision-making processes. They must hand these over to their children and acknowledge that it is the child’s own responsibility to fight their battles.”, said Anju Soni, principal, Shiv Nadar School, Noida, in her quote on World Mental Health Day.

Here are some World Mental Health Day 2022 activities that teachers and students can take up at their schools:-

• Sign up for a workshop on group therapy for your school. This might give you and your students a comfortable space to express yourself. Students can make mental health day posters expressing their feelings and emotions.
• We frequently think that continuing despite problems is the best course of action, yet problems might appear out of nowhere if they aren't appropriately handled.
• Bring about small changes in your lives and encourage those in your students as well, such that the changes stay with you even after the World Mental Health Day and also make mental health for all a global priority. Make little adjustments to your lives, and encourage your students to do the same, so that the changes last with you long after World Mental Health Day. Teach your students to establish a regular sleep routine. Other ideas include encouraging them to consume healthier meals, take lunch breaks, and go for long walks. In order to practise self-care, you must understand your specific needs. Spend some time thinking about what you want, then go after it.
• Perform a skit depicting what would happen if our mental health is not taken care of.
• There is a new World Mental Health Day theme each year, and even if it has nothing to do with your difficulties, you may still learn from it. Teach your students to do some time-consuming research on the topic. Beyond yourself, awareness can provide you the right tools to comprehend people more fully.
• Encourage your students to listen to podcasts. Even if they aren't the same as therapy or counselling, podcasts can certainly give us a fresh sense of being seen and understood. This is especially true when they are produced by knowledgeable experts or people with first-hand experience.

On World Mental Health Day 2022, ensure that you take a step forward in enhancing your own mental health as well that of your loved ones. Be kind to yourself as you would be to others, take regular mental health days, accept your emotions and work through difficult ones, and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Take special care of the mental health of children around you and make mental health for all a global priority.

“Do not allow yourself to be governed by the opinions of others. Emerge from your own experience of good, bad, and ugly. If in this process, you need a space for reflection, do not shy away from taking it. This Mental Health Day, breathe the air you wish for, create the life you dreamt for.” said Astha Nagpal, Consultant Counsellor, Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, and Founder, Daffodils Therapy Studio, Delhi, in her quote on World Mental Health Day.

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