World Mental Health Day raises public awareness about mental health issues. The day promotes more open discussion of mental health needs and advances in prevention and treatment services for mental illness.
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is suicide prevention.
Bishop Richard Moth, the lead bishop for the Mental Health Project said:
‘On this World Mental Health Day, we keep in our prayers all those suffering from mental ill health. In the Gospels, Christ shows His constant care for those ‘who labour and who are overburdened’. In so doing so, in particular, He assures us of His deep care for those who suffer from problems relating to mental health.
‘None of us should take our mental health for granted. No walk of life is immune from experiencing mental health difficulties in different and varying degrees, for example: parents, young people, employees/employers, mental health practitioners themselves, clergy, and people who have experienced bereavement.
‘As a society, we have yet to remove the lingering stigma which can be attached to mental ill health. We need to jettison the taboo around discussing the issue, and our discussions ought to be non-judgmental. In the interest of the common good, every citizen has a responsibility to promote the mental health of all the members of our society, including ourselves, and of our local communities.
‘The Church believes that life is worth living. Life matters. It is a precious gift to be cherished. Our fulfilment and destiny come from a living relationship with Jesus Christ through faith, nourished by the sacraments and the support of the Church community. Prayerful support of those who care about the mental health of every member of the community also assists in this great work of Christian concern.’
