World Mental Health Day 2018

On the 10th October 2018, 'World Mental Health Day' took place. This year's focus was on the mental health of young people and mental health in a changing world. It is estimated that 1 in 10 young people will experience mental health issues; whether it is depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder. There is usually a direct link between the disorder and what is going on in the person’s life. However, 70% of young people who have experienced or are experiencing a mental health problem have not been appropriately educated and helped through it.

The increasing rates of mental illness in young people has been called an epidemic by panels of teachers, and a recent report even referred to it as a ‘silent catastrophe’ - yet appropriate action is not being taken to help. The rising rates of suicide and mental illness in our young people, unless something is done to help them, is going to continue to rise.

The first 'World Mental Health Day' was celebrated on 10th October 1992 and was started by the World Federation for Mental Health. Its aim was to promote mental health advocacy and educate the public on relevant issues. The first time the day had a specific theme was in 1994, and since then the themes have include women and mental health, children and mental health, mental health and ageing, and many more.

'World Mental Health Day' is important as it highlights the sometimes-forgotten mental health issues that we face. In the UK, suicide is the biggest killer on men under 40, and yet mental illness is often not regarded as serious as a migraine or the flu. It is especially important to recognise and discuss the mental health of teenagers; in a world where things seem to be getting worse every day, both politically and ecologically, it can sometimes be forgotten that the people who will have to deal with these things are today’s teenagers.

- Kerry McGahan