World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on October 10th. It is intended to raise public awareness about mental health issues. The day promotes open discussion of mental disorders, and investments in prevention, promotion and treatment services. This year the theme for the day is “Depression: A Global Crisis”. Depression affects more than 350 million people of all ages, in all communities, and is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. Although there are known effective treatments for depression, access to treatment is a problem in most countries and in some countries fewer than 10% of those who need it receive such treatment. It can also affect males, females, older and younger persons, all alike. No one is immune against depression.
By celebrating this day, we are looking forwarded to finding out the most effective therapeutic methods of depression, and other mental and neurotic disorders, especially those that have to do with drug abuse, placing particular emphasis on countries with poor resources. The day is also intended to hold more open discussions on mental diseases, and enlist greater investments for curative and preventive health services.
World Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), which has members and contacts in more than 150 countries.
Internationally Approved Date: 10/10/2012
Locally Approved Date: 24/11/1433H
Theme of the World Mental Health Day 2012:
“Depression: A Global Crisis”
Targeted Groups:
- Families of patients with mental health disorders.
- Mental health associations.
- Health decision makers.
- Doctors and health practitioners.
- Social and psychological institutions.
- The public.
Objectives and General Messages of the World Mental Health Day 2012:
- Raising public awareness on mental health issues.
- Focusing on the importance of mental health as part of Family Medicine and Community Health.
- Providing an opportunity for exchange of research, experience and expertise to help support the mental health for all.
- Promoting global cooperation among organizations responsible for mental health.
- Stimulating the role of psychological and social associations to support patients with mental health disorders.
- Increasing awareness of the role of society and family in helping patients with mental health disorders and support them.
- Explaining the economic impact and high treatment costs caused by the negligence of mental health care, and thus the deterioration of public health.
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