World Mental Health Day 2025

World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It’s a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.

This year's theme is 'access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.

We may not have the power to influence or change everything we’d like to on a global scale. But there are things we can do to protect ourselves and others from feeling overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of current events.

These resources can give you useful tips to help when it all feels too much:

• Doomscrolling tips

• Overwhelm tips

• Affirmation cards

Talking about your mental health

1. Choose someone you trust to talk to  

This might be a friend, family member or a colleague. Or you might be more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know, for example, through a support helpline. It can help to do a pros and cons list about talking to someone.  

2. Think about the best place to talk

It’s important to choose a place where you feel comfortable enough to open-up. You might want to choose somewhere private where you’re less likely to be disturbed. You also might want to talk while you do an activity, like walking together.  

3. Prepare yourself for their reaction

Hopefully, you will have a good experience when you open-up to someone. But there’s a chance that they may not react in the way you hope. This may be for different reasons, like they may be worried or not fully understand at first.  If that’s the case, try to give them time to process what you’ve told them. It might help to give them information to read to help them understand. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself and practise self-care. 

Talking to someone about their mental health

1. Find a good space to talk without distractions

If you’re worried about someone, try to find a place where you know you can have a conversation without being distracted. Make sure to give them your full attention. It might help to switch off your phone.  

2. Listen and ask questions

Listening can be one of the most valuable ways to be there for someone. Show them that you’re actively listening by facing them, making eye contact, and not interrupting. Questions can help you clarify what they mean and also show that you’re actively listening. But make sure the questions are relevant to what they’re saying, and not changing the subject.    

3. Ask how you can help

Ask how you can help or make suggestions, rather than telling them what to do next. They might want support with making a GP appointment, help around the house, or just for you to keep things normal and chat about what’s going on in your life.