World Mental Health Day: 10 October

We all have mental health. It can vary from good to poor and be anywhere in-between. It can fluctuate over an hour, day, week, year. It can be impacted by our work, past experiences, and our life outside work, often a mix of all three.

Therefore, why do the same questions remain:

• Why don’t we talk about it more? 
  
  
• Why don’t we share our experiences? 
  
  
• Why does the stigma persist?
  
  
• Why don’t all organisations create workplace cultures founded on psychosocial safety and protect their workers from mental ill-health?

On this page you can discover the answers to these questions and more:  

• Find out more about World Mental Health Day.
  
  
• Download free resources: a poster, a mental health resource, and a language resource to help you start conversations about mental health. 
  
  
• Discover our mental health and wellbeing training.
  
  
• Read the statistics on mental health. 
  
  
• Access relevant blogs. 

What is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day (10 October) was created by the World Federation of Mental Health to raise awareness of, and drive positive change for, everyone’s mental health. ‘It’s also a chance to talk about mental health, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to get help if you are struggling.’ 

This year the theme is "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change".

We know how important it is to share real life experiences of mental ill-health, to help end the stigma that surrounds it and to demonstrate that support is available.

Please watch the impactful video series, created in partnership with Fischer Fixings UK to highlight the mental health experiences of people working in construction, but which are equally apt for many sectors. The films cover the most pressing issues, what the individual learnt from the experience, what worked in terms of support and what organisations can do to create a more supportive work environment.

When is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day takes place on 10 October every year.

Resources and training for World Mental Health Day

Resources

At Mates in Mind, we work with organisations to improve the mental health of their workforce by providing the skills, clarity, and confidence to employers on how to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions and end the stigma that surrounds mental health. 

This is why we have created a suite of resources to support organisations not only during World Mental Health Day, but also to build a supportive workplace culture which creates positive mental health in and through work:

• The resource pack provides guidance on how to embed an organisational culture change to a prevention approach, with an empowered management and workforce culture which meets the needs of the business and the individual employee.
  
  
• As part of our work to help eradicate the stigma that surrounds mental health, we have created a language resource to guide you in using positive, asset-based words and avoid the negative, stigma-supporting ones. 

To download these resources:

• Members – please log in to the Portal to download your exclusive resources.
  
  
• Non-Members - please complete the short form below (you may also want to discover more about the benefits of Becoming a Member). 

Please scroll down beyond the form to download additional free resources including a poster, and discover our training courses and relevant blogs.

Please click on the link below to download a free poster. Please then share it across your organisation.

Discover more free resources  

Please also visit our mental health and wellbeing resources page to download additional free resources.  

Please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be informed when we publish new campaign pages (like this one), blogs, resources, training, programmes and more.

Mental health and wellbeing training

At Mates in Mind, we believe that one of the best ways to create long-lasting change within an organisation is through mental health training. A key pillar of our framework is to educate and inform the workforce to help transform workplace culture, raise vital awareness about mental ill-health, and empower everyone to understand their roles and responsibilities when it comes to mental wellbeing. 

Why is World Mental Health Day Important?

• 964,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression or anxiety in 2024/25 (HSE).
  
  
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 52% of work-related ill health and 62% of all working days lost due to ill health in 2024/25 (HSE).
  
  
• The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work. Research has found that, on average, businesses achieve a £4.70 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support (Deloitte UK).

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

Further reading on mental wellbeing 

Discover how the team at Mates in Mind are creating lasting change at organisation and sector level through commissioning research, campaigning for change in policy and procurement, working in partnership with sector bodies, and providing evidence-informed effective interventions. Our research and advocacy work includes: the BS 30480 Suicide and the Workplace and Mental Health in Construction JCOP. 

If you would like to explore this topic further, you may find our related blogs helpful. In Suicide Prevention and Post-Suicide Response we provide important advice and resources to help you during a very difficult time. Managing Stress in the Workplace provides guidance on how to identify and mitigate the risks of stress. In Addressing the stigma, we look at practical ways to break down the barriers that prevent open conversations. Our blog on Eradicating the culture of silence considers the importance of creating safe spaces where employees feel able to speak up. Finally, Building a positive workplace culture explores how small changes to your organisation’s environment and values can have a lasting positive impact.

Ready to build a Culture of Prevention? 

Through working in partnership, we can create a mental health plan and a culture of prevention.   

Our dedicated team of Programme Managers work with organisations of any size to develop a tailored action plan, evaluating your organisation's priorities and gaps, and providing the tools and support you need.   

This plan includes ongoing support with communication and delivery of your plan, as well as training opportunities, promotional materials, and a suite of tools (including awareness date resources) to enable you to drive long-lasting and meaningful change.   

Find out more about how we can help your organisation build a culture of prevention when you become a Member by:  

• Visiting our Become a Member page
  
  
• Calling: 020 3510 5018
  
  
• Emailing: [email protected]
  
  
• Using our contact form