News > World Mental Health Day

Created: 2007-10-10 17:44:38

Observed on 10 October every year since 1992 the purpose of World Mental Health Day is to educate the public about relevant issues concerning mental health. This year's theme is 'Mental health in a changing world: the impact of culture and diversity.'

We live in a world where one person in every 35 is an international migrant. Dramatically different languages, religions and cultures coexist in a single country. This cultural diversity may influence many aspects of mental health, including how individuals communicate and manifest their symptoms, how they cope, their willingness to see treatment, and the level of support they receive from their family and community.

Culture impacts how people:

• label and communicate distress;
• explain the causes of mental health problems;
• perceive mental health care;
• use and respond to mental health treatment.

The 2007 World Mental Health Day campaign, an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, will bring attention to trans-cultural mental health services and treatment.