World Mental Health Day: Every Voice Matters
- Indumathi B
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Introduction:
On October 10, the world pauses, not just to mark a date, but to acknowledge what often stays hidden. World Mental Health Day (WHO) reminds us to look inward and notice the quiet emotional battles around us.
This year's mental health day theme, "Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies," reflects India's reality. Crises don’t end when headlines fade; their emotional impact lingers in trembling hands, sleepless nights, and unspoken fear.
More than 197 million Indians live with psychological distress. Each day, families lose someone to suicide. Every number has a real story. It could be a father feeling anxious, a student hiding panic, or a neighbor grieving after a flood.
Ritu, a 22-year-old from Patna, shared: “After my mother passed during COVID, I couldn’t eat or sleep. No one asked if I was okay, they just expected me to be strong. Months passed before I found a helpline. I wish someone had just asked.”
World Mental Health Day 2025 is not about grand campaigns. Pausing, listening, and seeing humanity inside each statistic are essential. Sometimes, a simple question, “How are you, truly?”, becomes the first step towards hope, healing, and the support we all deserve.
What Is World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day was founded in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to promote open dialogue about emotional well-being. Recognizing that mental health is essential to overall health, the world comes together every October 10th to reflect, connect, and check in.
Over the years, themes changed from general awareness to urgent issues. These include youth distress, mental health equity, and access during emergencies. What started as education is now a global movement, inspiring governments, organizations, and communities to take real action.
In India, progress is visible but uneven. Cities have counseling centers and government helplines like Tele-MANAS. However, rural and tribal areas still lack basic services. Too often, stigma and confusion slow the path to support.
The State of Mental Health in India & the World
Across the world, emotional struggles quietly shape millions of lives (WHO). Anxiety, depression, and stress ripple through homes, often invisible but deeply real. For many, heartbreak is not a headline; it’s days and nights waiting to feel hope again.
India’s need is urgent. Millions experience emotional distress. Most who need support never receive it and there lies a gap driven by stigma and gaps in health care.
Where you live can affect your future. It is easier to find help in Kolkata or Delhi. However, families in the Northeast or rural Maharashtra may wait for months. The reality is that mental health is not just a distant topic; it is a daily, urgent question for many.
Challenges People Face Today
Cost: Therapy and professional support can be out of reach for many. Government and NGO options exist, but demand often exceeds supply.
Stigma: Opening up risks judgment or misunderstanding. Silence feels safer, but hurts more in the long run.
Confusion: Many families don’t know when or whom to approach. Is it a counselor, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist?
Arjun, a college student, shared: “I thought therapy was only for people who had lost control. It took me too long to realize everyone needs help sometimes, especially after losing a close friend.”
Pressure in daily life: Students and professionals carry quiet burdens, comparison, performance, isolation.
Trauma after emergencies: Floods, landslides, and other disasters leave emotional scars that people often overlook.
Barriers for special groups:
Women: Postpartum depression, domestic violence, and emotional pain are rarely discussed.
Men: High suicide risk, and pressure to hide struggles.
LGBTQ+ people: Facing rejection and isolation.
Elderly: Loneliness as children grow up and move away.
Why Mental Health Awareness Still Matters
Awareness is the beginning of change. It:
Breaks stigma: Honest conversation makes it easier to seek psychological support.
Speeds early action: Reaching out sooner leads to better recovery.
Drives institutional change: When schools, workplaces, and leaders see the need, programs and policies slowly begin.
Builds community strength: After disasters, local awareness campaigns taught neighbors basic emotional first aid. This can be more effective than formal therapy.
Awareness isn't the end point. It's the open door that lets action and support in.
Four Practical Steps for Mental Well-Being
Tier 1: Daily Emotional Self-Care
Restorative Sleep: Have good quality sleep, and avoid scrolling before bed.
Gentle Movement: physical movement in the body helps with a healthy mind. So, do any movement even if small, but consistently.
Mindful Nourishment: Have nutritious food timely for a nourished mind.
Limit Overwhelm: Take breaks from news or social media as it might mentally overload your system.
Daily Connection: A short message or talk with someone supportive can make your day. Real connections mentally uplift you.
Tier 2: Prevention & Inner Health
Self-Check Tools: Use online tools to assess your emotions and mental health. Track your status easily.
Personal Boundaries: Try saying "no" to draining obligations and save mental space for what matters to you.
Evening Reflection: Write one honest sentence in your journal each night, which is a simple mindfulness practice to track your emotions. Pair this with a few minutes of meditation to calm your mind.
Monthly Reset Day: Take a day or more off from commitments or screens to recharge mentally.
Tier 3: Seeking Professional Support
When to Reach Out: The right time is when you feel like it even if there's no major issue. Also, if there is persistent distress (two weeks or more) or life disruption then definitely reach out.
Tele-MANAS Helpline: Free, multilingual digital support at 14416 (Tele-MANAS).
Therapist Questions: Before choosing a therapist, check their credentials. Ask about their qualifications and methods, like CBT or DBT. Make sure you feel comfortable with them.
Safety First: If a counsellor feels wrong or promises quick cures, trust yourself and look elsewhere.
Tier 4: Community & Social Support
Open Conversations: Honestly talking about struggles helps dissolve stigma at home and workplace.
Find/Build Support Groups: Search online, ask doctors, set up peer circles which might be super supportive in your healing journey.
Share Resources: Share about mental health online or offline. Be it experiences or resources that might help others.
Join Campaigns: this helps spread awareness about mental health where you contribute.
Campaigns & How You Can Help
Tea & Talk: Hold informal chats to break silence (Mental Health Foundation UK).
Tele-MANAS (India): Share 14416 within your network (Tele-MANAS).
NIMHANS Awareness: Participate in workshops and community events (NIMHANS).
Few Mental Health related days
World Bipolar Day (March 30)
It reminds the societies about bipolar disorder, a specific mental health disorder. This helps reduce stigma, and promote awareness of diagnosis, treatment, and support.
Men's Mental Health Month & International Men’s Day (November/June)
Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is mainly observed in June in the US and globally. However, many countries including the UK, Australia, and some Indian organizations also highlight men’s mental health during November as part of the broader “Movember” campaign.
This brings attention to the emotional challenges men carry quietly, creating awareness about the stigma around men being vulnerable, asking for help, high suicide rates, and the pressure to “be strong”. November 19, International Men’s Day, focuses on men's mental health while breaking these stereotypes.
Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
Globally, May is considered as mental health month filled with conversations, campaigns, workshops, awareness programs about mental well being, seeking help, and reducing stigma.
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)
Led by International Association for Suicide Prevention and WHO, this day focuses on awareness, prevention, and stories of hope. Across India, you’ll often see candlelight walks, community talks, and outreach events that remind people they’re not alone.
World Mental Health Day (October 10)
It's the principal global observance dedicated to mental health, often used as the anchor for campaigns, public outreach and awareness globally.
Stress Awareness Day (first Wednesday of November)
It is a day to make us slow down and understand the stress of everyday life. Many Indian counselors and wellness centers hold special programs to help people cope with overwhelming stress.
Conclusion:
World Mental Health Day reminds us that real change is made of small moments like asking, listening, showing up for someone in need.
You don’t have to be an expert to help. A kind question, a shared helpline, your honest story, these can open the door to healing and in raising awareness about mental health. When we collectively do this, the stigma around it also reduces. So, let's choose compassion and mental health from here on.
A single moment of kindness can start a journey of healing, for you or for someone else.
References
Learn what we are doing on Mental Health in the Digital Age at Health Volunteers.
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