Every year on 10th October, World Mental Health Day is celebrated to raise awareness and draw attention to this highly impactful condition. For the last 29 years, World Health Organisation has been setting the campaign focus of the Day, which is this year “Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality.”

While affecting the mental state of many people vigorously, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown clearly how unequal the health systems function in many countries. The inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the lack of respect for human rights, came to the surface in 2020.

According to statistics, between 75% to 95% of people with mental disorders in low- and middle-income countries cannot access mental health services at all, and access in high-income countries is not much better either. Moreover, the numbers get even lower for vulnerable, marginalised communities, including people who use drugs, due to stigmatisation, discrimination, and human rights abuses.

Within the general context of the EU Health Policy Platform, the European Commission launched this year’s EU Health Award on two topics, one of which is Mental health. They claim to reward community-based initiatives alleviating the mental health impact of COVID-19.

This year, the Platform aims to gather good practices from cities and local authorities, NGOs, other non-profit organisations, and educational institutions.

Check out the Award page for more information and apply with your work.
Please remember to also support the Mental Health Day 2021 campaign by joining their live conversations with experts and influencers while sharing your initiatives online with the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay.

Further information on World Mental Health Day:

• https://wfmh.global/
• http://www.gospeakyourmind.org/
• http://www.unitedgmh.org/
• https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2021