World Mental Health Day Date in the current year: October 10, 2024

World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH). The organization itself was founded in 1948 in the same era as the United Nations and World Heath Organization. The activity of the Federation is aimed at prevention of mental and emotional disorders and provision of proper treatment and care of those, who have mental disorders. Nowadays WFMH consists of more than 150 member states.

Every year observance of World Mental Health Day is organized to correspond to a certain theme, that is chosen by the Federation. Observance of this day helps break stereotypes connected with mental illnesses and encourages people to seek for professional help and care in case of early symptoms of mental disorders.

Observance of World Mental Health Day is a part of Mental Illness Awareness Week. This is a larger event, that is annually organized in the USA during the first full week of October.