If you were born before the 2000s, you’ll likely recall a time when mental health was a hush-hush topic—spoken about in the same breath as “off the deep end,” “nervous breakdown,” or “looney bin.”
Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. If there’s one silver lining from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that mental health is no longer a dirty little secret; it’s front and center, where it should’ve been all along.
Which is why every year, there’s one day—World Mental Health Day—dedicated to checking in on how we’re actually doing up [points to head] here. Because when it comes to mental health, it’s not just a conversation; it’s a revolution.
What is World Mental Health Day?
Back in 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health recognized the need for more open conversations around mental well-being. That’s why they introduced a dedicated day to raise awareness and tackle the stigma head-on.
So, when is World Mental Health Day? It’s celebrated every year on October 10th with a different theme every year.
For example, 2013 was about mental health in older adults. In 2019, the focus was on suicide prevention. In 2023, it was about making mental health a universal human right.
For World Mental Health Day 2024, the global campaign is prioritizing mental health in the workplace. It’s a critical focus considering that, globally, depression and anxiety lead to the loss of around 12 billion working days each year (and that costs businesses a staggering $1 trillion in productivity).
Clearly, the need to address mental health has never been more urgent. As Dr. Caroline Leaf, a clinical neuroscientist and the trainer of Mindvalley’s Calm Mind: A Scientific Method for Managing Anxiety and Depression Quest, says, “We’ve got to stop looking at mental health as a disease, and we need to start seeing it as part of our human experience.”
So, consider World Mental Health Day your annual check-in on your emotional and psychological well-being—because taking care of your mind is as essential as taking care of your body.
Why is it important?
The reality is, one in every two people will experience a mental health disorder at some point in their lives, according to a massive study from Harvard Medical School and the University of Queensland. Basically, if it’s not you, it’s the person next to you.
The ripple effect goes beyond the individual. It can also impact families, workplaces, and entire communities.
“By encouraging discussions, sharing personal stories, and disseminating information, the day helps to normalize mental health issues and diminish the associated stigma,” Tatiana River Cruz, LICSW, mental health therapist with ADHDAdvisor.org, shares with Mindvalley Pulse.
Whether it’s through public campaigns, educational events, or media coverage, every conversation helps shift societal attitudes on the subject. And as awareness grows, so does the chance for people to seek help, care for themselves, and advocate for others—without the fear of judgment.
How to help break the stigma of mental health
Emotions like anxiety and depression have long been mislabeled as something to be ashamed of. But with more open, constructive conversations, that’s changing.
Here are a few things Dr. Leaf suggests in her Mindvalley Quest to change the narrative:
1. Ditch the quick fix mindset
We live in a world that loves quick fixes. Feeling low? Here, take this pill, and poof!—problem solved.
But the thing is, that’s not how it works with mental health. From what Dr. Caroline Leaf explains, the key is mind management.
“We can’t control the events, circumstances, and people of our lives,” she explains. “But we can learn to control what it looks like inside of us and how it plays out into the future.”
Treating your mental mess like they’re a problem to solve with one solution can keep you stuck. Focus instead on building long-term habits with tools, such as Dr. Leaf’s NeuroCycle, to gradually rewire your thinking.
2. Don’t run from “negative” emotions
Anxiety, sadness, frustration—none of these are bad. Rather, it’s normal to have them, just like it is to feel serenity, joy, and calmness.
“It’s part of us being human,” Dr. Leaf points out. “We need to allow ourselves to have all these emotions.”
That includes the ones that make us uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, it’s that discomfort that are your brain’s “warning signals,” as Dr. Leaf calls it. They’re kind of like little red flags to say, “Hey, something’s up!”
Rather than running from them, learn to tune in and listen. Ask yourself:
- “Why do I feel this emotion?”
- “What other emotions are attached to it?”
- “How are those feelings affecting my behavior?”
- “How are these emotions and behaviors linked to what I feel in my body?”
- “Why do I have this perspective?”
Over time, this practice will help you with emotional balance instead of letting those feelings control you.
3. Educate yourself and others
Many of us have been taught that mental health equals a broken brain. Dr. Leaf (and surely many other experts) would like to discredit that belief.
“It’s not helpful to think of depression and anxiety as brain diseases,” she explains. “That implies that you’re stuck with a brain disease.”
This stigma, and others like it, is why it’s important to educate yourself about the nuances of mental health—how it’s shaped by experiences, trauma, and so on. Dr. Leaf’s book, Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking, is a great place to start.
Additionally, Tatiana recommends The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk and Lost Connections by Johann Hari. These books, as she points out, offer “in-depth insights into trauma and the factors contributing to mental health challenges.”
Knowledge really is power. The more you understand, the better equipped you are to help yourself and those around you—and the less scary it becomes.
How you can honor World Mental Health Day
A day like this is a community effort. You, too, can get involved to help improve mental health for yourself and those around you.
Here are a few ways Tatiana suggests:
- Join community events or workshops. Look for local gatherings that focus on mental, physical, and emotional well-being…or organize one yourself. Activities like yoga or creative outlets like art therapy can foster a sense of connection and healing.
- Encourage open dialogue. Share your own experiences, or simply listen as others share theirs. The more we talk about mental health, the more we can create a culture of understanding and support.
- Provide or share educational resources by offering materials on mental health services, access to counseling, or directing people to platforms like NAMI or Mental Health America. Education is key to breaking the stigma.
- Incorporate self-care practices. Small, simple acts like journaling, meditation, or engaging in music therapy can go a long way in managing emotions, reducing stress, and promoting overall wellness.
- Support friends and family year-round. Check in regularly with your loved ones and create an environment where they feel safe to talk about their mental health. Being a reliable, non-judgmental support can make a world of difference.
Important note: If you ever feel like you or someone you know needs extra support, reaching out to a mental health professional can be a powerful step toward healing.
Inspiring World Mental Health Day quotes
It’s no secret that quotes are impactful. They offer inspiration, comfort, or wisdom and can help us feel connected and understood.
Here are a few that honor World Mental Health Day as well as serve as reminders that taking care of your mind matters.
- “You cannot sit back and wait to be happy and healthy and have a great thought life; you have to make the choice to make this happen.” — Dr. Caroline Leaf, clinical neuroscientist and trainer of Mindvalley’s Calm Mind: A Scientific Method for Managing Anxiety and Depression Quest
- “Whenever you have a moment when you feel insecure, when you feel overwhelmed, when you feel self-doubts are creeping in…when you have those moments, remind yourself that we’re all human, we all struggle, and the only way to truly connect is to connect for our common humanity.” — Jimmy Naraine, award-winning educator and trainer of Mindvalley’s Course Pro Quest
- “A shift in attitude creates a shift in mindset, and a shift in mindset creates a shift in your life.” — Mahatria Ra, spiritual leader and trainer of Mindvalley’s A Journey to Infinitheism Quest
- “Our mind is wired to find the things that cause us pain, and avoid them at all costs. Choose your words carefully, your mind is always listening.” — Marisa Peer, Rapid Transformational Therapy trainer and trainer of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance Quest
- “Extraordinary minds do not need to seek validation from outside opinion or through attainment of goals. Instead, they are truly at peace with themselves and the world around them.” — Vishen, founder of Mindvalley
Futureproof your well-being
Mental health isn’t just a box to check once a year—it’s something that deserves your attention every day. Mindvalley has a number of great programs to help you better manage your thoughts and emotions.
Here are some you should definitely check out:
- Calm Mind: A Scientific Guide to Managing Anxiety and Depression with Dr. Caroline Leaf
- Mastering Growth Mindset with Vishen
- UNSHAKEABLE: From Self-Doubt to Self-Determination with Shadé Zahrai and Fayçal Sekkouah
- Total Self-Confidence with Paul McKenna
- Uncompromised Life with Marisa Peer
Each of these programs provides its own unique approach to long-lasting emotional freedom.
The great thing is, when you sign up for a free Mindvalley account, you’ll get access to program previews and daily meditations to kick-start your journey. Plus, you’ll become part of a vibrant, supportive community of people who are all on the same path toward better well-being.
So while World Mental Health Day is a great starting point, it’s what you do next that truly matters.
Welcome in.
