World Mental Health Day 2023 "Let’s talk about mental health"
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on October 10 to spotlight mental health around the world, raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) announced the theme for World Mental Health Day 2023, ‘mental health is a universal human right’.
At the United Nations, events and activities are organized each year during the month of October to promote the importance of mental health and well-being for our personnel.
For more information about how to get involved please see:
On October 10th, to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2023, Therese Fitzpatrick, the Global Lead for the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, hosted a panel discussion with experts and trailblazers in workplace mental health. The discussion touched upon the latest research and good practice, the latest developments within the UN, and plans for 2024 and beyond.
World Mental Health Day 2022 "Make mental health for all a global priority"
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on October 10 to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilize efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. Every year since 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) has organized a global campaign for World Mental Health Day. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) announced the theme for World Mental Health Day 2022, which is ‘Make mental health for all a global priority”.
At the United Nations, events and activities are organized each year during the month of October to promote the importance of mental health and well-being for our personnel.
For more information about how to get involved please see:
World Mental Health Day 2022 panel discussion on the theme ‘make mental health a global priority for all’
On 10 October 2022, the UN System Mental Health and Well-being Strategy Team hosted a panel discussion on the importance of creating a healthy workplace to mark World Mental Health Day. The event opened with a message from the Secretary-General that “investing in mental well-being means investing in healthy and prosperous communities”.
World Mental Health Day 2021
Toolkit for Organizations
World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on 10 October. On this day and throughout the month of October, the Mental Health Strategy Team and system-wide partners will carry out a series of events and activities focused on this year’s theme, “Mental Health in an Unequal World’.
Working alongside system-wide partners, staff organizations and UN taskforces, the overall objective is to raise awareness and launch a call for action to protect UN populations at risk of poor mental health and unequal access to mental healthcare.
The Mental Health Strategy Team has composed a toolkit with preparation material to assist UN Organizations, duty stations and teams to take action during World Mental Health Month.
All communication material for WMHD2021 can be found in our Trello board.
Secretary-General's message
Three years since the launch of our United Nations system Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy, the well-being and mental health of our personnel remains a priority for me personally, and for all the senior management team at the United Nations.
The past 18 months have tested the resilience of each and every one of us.
World Mental Health Day on 10 October is an opportunity to look at the progress we have made, consider what more we can do, and recommit to our goals of providing a healthy workplace for all at the United Nations, ending stigma related to mental health within our Organization, and ensuring that all our personnel get adequate mental health support when they need it.
This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health in an Unequal World”.
With that in mind, we need to raise awareness of inequalities within our own workplace and ensure that we protect our colleagues who are at higher risk of poor mental health, or who may have reduced access to treatment.
We have now developed resources around workplace mental health and well-being that are available for all personnel and in all UN languages. I am pleased to report that an online training specifically targeted at leaders and managers will be launched this month.
I encourage all personnel to take part in this month’s campaign, and to start conversations with your colleagues and directors around mental health and wellbeing.
António Guterres
We need to raise awareness of inequalities within our own workplace and ensure that we protect our colleagues who are at higher risk of poor mental health, or who may have reduced access to treatment.
António Guterres
Video recordings
Supporting good mental health in the UN System
Ways to protect our mental health in the workplace.
Mental Health and Racial Discrimination
The effects that racial discrimination has on mental health and well-being, how to combat the racial discrimination.
Welcome and Support Personnel with a Mental Health Condition
Practical tips to support personnel when they experience a mental health condition, encouraging reach out early for help and reducing stigma.
World Mental Health Day 2020
World Mental Health Month aims to address mental health issues in an empathetic way, with a unifying voice, helping everyone to feel hopeful by empowering everyone to take action and to create lasting change. World Mental Health Day 2020 theme was “Mental Health for all. Greater Investment – Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere.”
Throughout October 2020, panel discussions and activities were organized to increase awareness about workplace mental health. Colleagues engaged in panel discussions creating a safe space to discuss topics on mental health, share personal stories, participate to open conversations, and support each other. Weekly events were dedicated to these themes:
Improving Mental Health throughout the UN System: Our workplaces and workplace culture impacts our health and wellbeing.
Supporting and Welcoming Personnel with Mental Health Conditions: We must reduce any stigma and discrimination that UN personnel may experience due to mental health.
Nurturing Your Own Mental Health and Wellbeing: It is now even more important than ever to take steps to protect our mental health.
Ensuring Access for All: Some population groups are more at risk and less likely to get help.
