World Mental Health Day is a day that aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and inform and educate the public, in a continued bid to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
Many of the Mental Health Networks’ members participated in a range of local, regional and national events to mark the day and celebrate mental health in their areas.
The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health
However, World Mental Health Day is also chance to draw attention to specific themes. The 2011 theme, 'The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health', gave the opportunity to highlight that, despite the current economical climate, continued investment in mental health is essential.
Speaking on World Mental Health Day, Steve Shrubb, Director of the Mental Health Network, said:
"We have already seen that stress has taken over as the major cause of long term absence for companies as the economic outlook is so gloomy. It is vital at times like this to invest in our mental health services.
"Not only will it improve patients’ lives but it will help Great Britain plc through the tough times ahead in the economy. Policies such as talking therapies allow health services to offer support early, and help keep people at work before relatively mild illness potentially becomes much more serious.
"The Government's mental health strategy is an opportunity to improve mental health services across the country and different sectors. We are really keen to see how the Government plans to implement the strategy as it will be a vital part of our national resilience in such difficult economic times."
Further Information
World Mental Health Day is the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, an international body with members from over 150 countries. First celebrated in 1992, World Mental Health Day has received greater and greater attention and support each year and 10th October 2011 successfully continued this trend.