World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October. It’s a day to talk about mental health openly and to push for better care.
The date is 10 October.
How to use the World Mental Health Day Countdown#
- Choose what to count to. Stay on the next World Mental Health Day, or look a year further ahead.
- The figures are worked out when the page loads and again when you change an option or return to the tab.
- Use the extras. World Mental Health Day is on 10 October every year. Total hours, minutes and sleeps are listed underneath.
Where it comes from#
The World Federation for Mental Health first held the day in 1992, and the World Health Organization now supports it with a yearly theme. The aim is to raise awareness, reduce stigma and encourage governments to invest in care that people can reach.
Looking after yourself and others#
A countdown isn’t a plan, but it can be a prompt. Check in with someone who has gone quiet. Take a proper break. Talk to a doctor or counsellor if you have been struggling for a while. Workplaces and schools can use the date to review the support they offer. If you or someone near you is in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services.
When is World Mental Health Day in the next few years?#
World Mental Health Day is on 10 October every year.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 10 October | Sunday |
| 2028 | 10 October | Tuesday |
| 2029 | 10 October | Wednesday |
| 2030 | 10 October | Thursday |
| 2031 | 10 October | Friday |
The scale of the issue#
The WHO estimates that about one in eight people worldwide lives with a mental disorder, and that depression and anxiety are the most common. Suicide claims more than 700,000 lives every year, and it is among the leading causes of death for young people. In many low and middle income countries, a person who needs care has to travel long distances, or has no access to a trained professional at all.
Stigma plays a large part, since many people wait years before they ask for help.
How to check in on someone#
Ask directly and listen without hurrying to fix things. Questions such as “how have you been sleeping?” or “you’ve seemed quiet, how are you really?” invite a real answer. Do not promise secrecy if you think someone is in danger. Offer to help them find a doctor or a counsellor, or to go with them. If someone talks about wanting to die or hurting themselves, treat it as an emergency and contact your local emergency number or a crisis line.
For workplaces and schools#
The WHO’s suggestions are practical: reasonable workloads, clear roles, manager training and a way to talk about stress without penalty. Work back from Sun 10 October 2027, which is a Sunday in 2027:
| When | What to do | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks out | Choose a talk or workshop and a speaker | Sun 12 September 2027 |
| 2 weeks out | Share information on available support | Sun 26 September 2027 |
| On the day | Hold the session and a quiet break | Sun 10 October 2027 |
Quick facts#
- Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14, according to the WHO, though most are not noticed or treated.
- Exercise, sleep and time with other people do not cure illness, but they do reduce symptoms for many people.
- Therapy and medication both work for many conditions, and the right mix depends on the person and the illness.
- Employers lose a large number of working days to depression and anxiety each year, and the WHO says each dollar spent on treatment returns several dollars in better health and productivity.
If your work involves long hours or shifts, you might find it useful to look at how your time is split. Our days between dates calculator counts working days, which makes it easier to plan a proper break.
Frequently asked questions#
10 October.
The World Federation for Mental Health, in 1992.
Start with a doctor, a counsellor or a trusted person. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
If low mood, worry, poor sleep or loss of interest in things has lasted more than about two weeks and affects your daily life, speak to a doctor or counsellor. Do not wait for a crisis. If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis service straight away, or tell someone close to you.
Keep it simple and sincere. Say you have noticed they seem low and you are there to listen. Avoid saying 'cheer up' or 'others have it worse'. Ask whether they would like help finding a doctor. If they say they might hurt themselves, stay with them and call your local emergency number, because that is more important than keeping a confidence.