World Mental Health Day

[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.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• 37% of SMEs suffer mental health problems due to pay issues
• Construction leadership for mental health
• COVID-19 and mental health within construction firms
• Economic upturn masks mental health crisis in 2021
• Emotional distress
• Empowering the construction industry to take action on mental health
• Mental health awareness week
• Mental health in the construction industry
• Mental health first aid
• Mental health and wellbeing
• Psychosocial disability
• Tackling mental health issues in construction
• Tackling mental health - 6 point plan
• Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025