World Mental Health Day is October 10th
World Mental Health Day, first celebrated in 1992, was designed to bring awareness and education to the global community on the serious issue of mental health. In 2020, the mental health of millions have been impacted considerably due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and Mental Health

These challenging times have hit home for teachers, students, patients, providers, business small and large, the elderly and young alike. Every community fears the possibility of catching COVID-19 and bringing it home to their families and loved ones. The stress of possible layoffs, anxiety whether you are able to pay the bills, take care of yourself and family let alone dealing with the anguish and grief of losing a friend or loved one, to COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on mental health.
The need for mental and psychosocial support will undoubtedly increase in the coming months and years. Mental health education and awareness is a key component to getting help to people in need.

How Serious is it?

The World Economic Forum (2018) stated that mental health disorders are increasing in every country in the world and could cost the global economy approximately $16 trillion between 2010 and 2030.
A total of around 450 million people worldwide live with mental disorders that are the leading causes of ill-health and disability.
Mental disorders cause ill-health and disability to approximately 450 million people worldwide according to the WHO’s World Health Report, 2001. Every 40 seconds, someone dies of suicide annually. This is over 800,000 people, which is more than people dying by homicide and war combined, states the World Health Organization (2018).

We are hoping that events like World Mental Health Day, helps to bring people and communities of the world together, to spread education and awareness on the seriousness of mental illness and what we can do to provide comfort, compassion and assistance to those in need.