World Mental Health Day

1 Annual observance
2 The construction industry
3 An anniversary year
4 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Annual observance

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year, around 12 billion working days are lost to depression and anxiety. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an increase of 25 per cent in anxiety and depression worldwide.

[edit] The construction industry

HSE’s statistics show that 822,000 workers suffered from stress, depression and anxiety in 2020/21. In the construction industry research shows that 1 in 4 construction workers contemplate suicide, and male site workers are three times more likely to die by suicide than the average male in the UK.

Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to care, particularly in the construction industry. Increasing awareness about preventive mental health interventions and events around World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to act collectively. It is a chance to talk about mental health in general, the need to look after it, the importance of talking about things and getting help when struggling.

For more information on construction industry specific topics see: Mental health in the construction industry.

[edit] An anniversary year

2022 marks 30 years of the World Mental Health Day which was first observed on October 10, 1992, by the World Federation for Mental Health, initially without a specific theme and just with the aim for advocacy and educating people the following observations became theme lead:

2022 World Mental Health Day - Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority
2021 World Mental Health Day - Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality
2020 World Mental Health Day - Move for mental health: let’s invest
2019 World Mental Health Day - Focus on suicide prevention
2018 World Mental Health Day - Young people and mental health in a changing world
2017 World Mental Health Day - Mental health in the workplace
2016 World Mental Health Day - Psychological first aid
2015 World Mental Health Day - Dignity in mental health
2014 World Mental Health Day - Living a healthy life with schizophrenia
2013 World Mental Health Day - Mental health and older adults
1999 World Mental Health Day - Mental Health and Ageing
1998 World Mental Health Day - Mental Health and Human Rights
1997 World Mental Health Day - Children and Mental Health
1996 World Mental Health Day - Women and Mental Health-
1994 World Mental Health Day - Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.