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. The UK's Mental Health Foundation and many organisations recognise and use this day as a catalyst for action.

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 showed that in 2021/2022, 822,000 workers suffered from stress, depression and anxiety, with construction industry research showing 1 in 4 construction workers contemplating suicide, and male site workers being three times more likely to die by suicide than the average male in the UK. In 2022 CIOB's Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment report found 94% experienced stress and 83% anxiety, linked to heavy workloads, poor communication, and tight deadlines. In 2025 over a quarter (26%) stating they had suicidal thoughts and only 56% saying their business had a policy in place for mental health ( Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 ).

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 marked 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 2025 theme is listed below along with the previous observations that became the relevant themes:

2025 World Mental Health Day - access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies
2024 World Mental Health Day - Mental Health at Work
2023 World Mental Health Day - Mental health is a universal human right
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.