Cast Your Vote for the 2023 World Mental Health Day Theme

March 1, 2023

On behalf of the World Federation for Mental Health's President Dr Nasser Loza and the 2021-2023 Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to participate in choosing the theme for World Mental Health Day to be held on 10 October 2023.

WFMH was launched in 1948 with the aim of promoting mental health and citizenship, mutual understanding through co-operation across professional boundaries, the establishment of mental health services in every country of the world and the promotion of education about mental health, with the aim of empowering people who deliver and receive mental health services.

WFMH established World Mental Health Day in 1992 to expand education about mental health, and it continues this work as its flagship project.

This year's World Mental Health Day coincides with the 75th anniversary of WFMH and we need a theme that truly matters to all of us globally so please support us in choosing one.

A special thank you to all those who have contributed suggestions for this years theme and the ones who helped with its curation.

PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW TO CHOOSE YOUR THREE FAVORITE THEMES FROM OUR LIST OF FOURTEEN SUGGESTED THEMES.

The theme that gets the highest number of votes will be chosen for this years World Mental Health Day.

This voting process is open globally, so please forward the information to the people around you, inviting them to have their voice for global mental health.

VOTING WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY 17 MARCH 2023.

Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE JP
Secretary General & CEO WFMH

Suggested themes

Please read the list of 14 suggestions below before you cast your vote for your three favourite themes and please circulate this to your friends and colleagues so that everybody can have a chance to participate in the vote.

#1- Make Mental Health and Wellness a Priority by Fostering World Peace

Rationale for the suggestion:
Right now, in our world, there are very few places without the presence of war refugees and war wounded soldiers. We need a global response to support recovery. This effort will enable people to serve as legitimate stewards of peace with an aim to bringing safety and promoting mental health leading to a global outcome of universal wellness.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
Every continent is experiencing insecurity. This matters because a lack of safety is the basic threat to mental health. A constant lack of safety has protracted implications in the life outcomes of the globe with mental health being the first casualty. People need to respect and value humanity so that we can all of safe at a basic level.

#2- Prioritize Mental Health for all in this Time of Global Economic and Social Uncertainty

Rationale for the suggestion:
Due to the financial crisis in the global economy, we are seeing the social impact of economic crisis on individuals, families, communities, and countries. This manifests across the lifespan and impacts physical and mental health. Secondary to the covid pandemic there has been a significant increase in young adults accessing mental health services citing reasons linked to post-graduate opportunity poverty, leading to financial difficulties and ultimately causing mental health distress requiring professional intervention and support. During times of financial uncertainty individuals will most likely experience employment, housing, utility, and medical uncertainty as well as increasing household debt causing an overall experience of general uncertainty. This can be likened to global active trauma, especially in the post-pandemic context, whereby the persistent ongoing uncertainty has caused prolonged anxiety and stress within individuals, families, and communities. We know from extensive research, that prolonged periods of anxiety can significantly impact cognitive abilities and executive functioning which can impact mental health.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
The state of the global economy impacts all individuals. Low-income countries are seeing families and communities struggling to meet their essential physiological needs including access to food, clean water and adequate shelter. When physiological needs remain unfulfilled individuals are unable to fulfil their psychological needs, as described by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Many low-income countries are experiencing war and civil unrest so safety needs are unmet resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in individuals and communities as a whole. Medium-income countries are seeing a wave of Mental Health investment being de-prioritized in favour of other primary health concerns due to the aftermath of unmanaged COVID-19 and related excessive deaths and are still recovering from the financial setback caused. As a result, mental health research and services are severally affected, increasing pre-existing inequalities between mental health and other 'traditional' services. Overall there is decreased financial investment in aid to low-income and medium-income countries meaning their trauma and mental health difficulties will increase without intervention and support and many of the populations' mental health concerns falling through the cracks and being misrepresented. High-income countries such as the UK, have seen widespread unprecedented strike action from primary health, social, education, and transport industries requesting higher pay to enable better quality care as staff feel unable to provide high quality of care to those they serve, resulting in a decline in standards of mental health services. This is compounded by the energy crisis leading to widespread panic and hardship, ultimately impacting peoples' mental health negatively.

#3- Mental Health is a Universal Human Right

Rationale for the suggestion:
Mental health is often seen as an "add-on". Placing mental health squarely in a human rights framework helps re-cast the aspiration for sound mental health as a fundamental human right and makes work to ensure access to mental health an obligation and responsibility of state and global bodies, not a luxury. Access to mental health is a universal right. All citizens of the world should have access to better living conditions, security, food, shelter, housing. All these factors are necessary for people's mental health.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
If people lack basic needs it is impossible for a child to develop. A child with deficiencies in childhood will potentially be an adult with mental illness. Mental illness does not recognize social classes, but we know that less investment in the prevention of mental illness is a factor that can aggravate the situation in less developed countries. However, highly developed countries also have high rates of mental illness.

#4- Supporting People in Crises Abroad and at Home - Investing in the Mental Health and Wellbeing of all Displaced Populations

Rationale for the suggestion:
No matter where you are you can experience displacement. Unforseen events can lead to any individual losing their social or community connections and becoming displaced. Conflicts across the world continue to uproot persons from their homes rendering them homeless with feelings of hopelessness, vulnerability and lack of self- control. Mental health in most programs is not prioritized, poorly funded or not funded at all. There is need to invest in prevention, treatment and promotion of mental health service for displaced people and capacity building by investing in mental health paraprofessionals to bridge the ever existing gap of qualified mental health professionals especially in developing countries.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
This is relevant to high, medium ad low income populations because each nation has displaced populations as a result of natural and man made disasters. This theme will enable us to combine our empathy for the suffering we see worldwide including effects inflation, continuing domestic violence and the lack of services for the severe mentally ill.

#5- Early Intervention Through Integrated Mental Health Care

Rationale for the suggestion:
The rationale for this theme related to integrated mental health care is to generate awareness regarding the interrelationship of our body and mind. The focus in the integrated health care model is on treating the whole person with case management techniques, rather than focusing on individual illnesses or mental health concerns. This enables: 1. The patient's unique needs are met in a multifaceted and coordinated fashion by a team-based approach with convenient access to wide variety of medical and behavioural services. 2. Offers more support for a patient's emotional and physical well-being while also being cost-effective and improve quality of life. 3. Programs that integrate mental health providers within primary care can enhance patient-centred care and can facilitate the early detection of mental health concerns with timely intervention and improvement of prognosis. 4. Studies have shown that patients with mental illnesses are at risk of dying earlier due to physical health concerns. Screening and continuous monitoring of physical health can improve health care outcomes. 5. Evidence has clearly shown that there is wider acceptance of seeking mental health services in general hospitals and health care centres. 6. Integrated health care approach can benefit not only patients but also caregivers and health care professionals. 7. Lastly the world has been grappled by Covid 19 pandemics and people are resuming to their normal lives after sustaining loss of loved ones, financial losses, despair, fear of illness, anxiety, change in routine and lifestyle. It would be very difficult for general population to decide when to seek help and realize if they need help. Integrated health care gives opportunities to people to access health care in individualized and comprehensive manner.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
Integrated health care is the systematic coordination of general and behavioural health care. The system joins mental health, substance abuse, and primary health care, and it creates an effective approach toward caring for people in need. This type of health care offers more support for a patient's emotional and physical well-being, improves access to care and is cost-effective coordinating the treatment of patients with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, or arthritis. We need to invest in primary care including health promotion in low medium and high income countries.

#6- Promote a Worldwide Citizenship: Mental Health, Social Inclusion and Peace

Rationale for the suggestion:
The concept of citizenship is key in a dramatic global context where war, pandemic, losses, inequality, exclusion, separation, social isolation seem to prevail on our mankind, sense of communality, humanity, love and inclusive relationships. These contingencies have a huge impact on mental health. Therefore the feeling of being together as human beings, as citizens of the world, should be reaffirmed through a positive action of all mental health activists and organizations, across service positive values such as freedom, equality, community inclusion and participation, independence, human rights, wellbeing and connectedness. This can promote reciprocal acceptance, recognition and peace. All organizations, governments, communities, individuals and social groups, can contribute to expanding the awareness and recognition of the human diversity and, at the same time, equality. These fundamental human values must be the cornerstones of a new momentum of a worldwide movement for mental health and peace.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
While a technological view and approach, especially coming from the North and the West, is globally reducing the human side of mental healthcare, and the biomedical paradigm is insisting on brain diseases rather than on human conditions, it is important to emphasize the relevant contribution of community values, human resources, social capital, that have to act in synergy with the health and social services. Conditions of social inequality and lack of social justice, as well as of basic conditions of security and even peace are especially impacting on low and medium income countries, and across all societies. These human threats are joined to climate changes to increase the burden of negative factors impacting on mental health worldwide. Mental health must be combined with the recognition of citizenship and universal human rights of individuals.

#7- Improving Indigenous People's Mental Health: A Global Issue

Rationale for the suggestion:
It is time to address the inequality and inequity of availability and access to mental health care and treatment for Indigenous people globally.
Indigenous people around the world have been exposed to intergenerational trauma, loss of land, and separation from culture and their own people. Indigenous peoples have higher levels of anxiety, depression, infant mortality and rates of suicide.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
According to the Health of Indigenous Peoples, World Health Organisation there are an estimated 370 million indigenous peoples living in more than 70 countries worldwide. The health status of indigenous peoples varies significantly from that of non­-indigenous population groups in countries all over the world. They are often poorer, die at a younger age, and have far worse physical and mental health. These statistics are evidenced in high, medium and low-income countries.

#8- Healthy Minds for a Peaceful and Healthy Future

Rationale for the suggestion:
We all are helplessly lost in our own species survival race. We need to slow down, stop war and start looking at what we are losing, love, time and care for each other. Unless our minds unite now in harmony for better mental health of all, we will not have much to claim as a civilized creation in this world.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
Mental turmoil, morbidity, and mortality is increasing like forest fire. Illicit drugs, human trafficking, stress of all kinds is rampant across these countries as the national priorities are grappling to recover from recession. Health has taken a back seat and covid 19 made it worse. It is a testing time for all countries to simultaneously address recession and health.

#9- Our Climate and Our Mental Health Matters – It is Time for Us to Act.

Rationale for the suggestion:
The environment has a direct impact on mental health wellbeing. The challenges posed by climate change, including migration and loss of natural resources, are of concern for public at large and governmental organizations and have an impact on mental health.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
LMIC and high-income countries are equally affected by climate change. Its effects on mental health and the necessary provision of services and anticipation of risks need an expert opinion, advice, and intervention. Organizations must help raise awareness on how to prevent and ameliorate detrimental effects of climate change. Invest in our environment today for our mental health wellbeing and the future of our planet and our children.

#10- It's Time to Promote Self-Care and Psychological First Aid for Our Mental Health Wellbeing

Rationale for the suggestion:
It is time to prioritize self-care and psychological first aid to ensure that every citizen has the ability to support themselves and access community support at times of need. Nobody is immune to mental illness, mental distress or stress and supporting self-care provides a person-centred approach. There is a need to improve community resilience through improving access and training citizens in psychological first aid as we already do in first aid.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
In 2008 WHO and Wonca proposed that self-care support should be available at all levels of c are from community to hospital care as it is the foundation of resilience and wellness. Since then we have learned so much. Mental illness often coexists with other illnesses and many people use traditional, alternative and complimentary medicine and healing as part of their support. Stigma and discrimination continues to be a problem for many people. We need to improve the global discourse about mental illness by the universal adoption of psychological first aid and this has relevance to low, medium and high income societies.

#11- Mental Health in All Policies

Rationale for the suggestion:
This is the theme of the 2023 WHO Ministerial Summit and is consistent with the 1948 founding principles of the World Federation for Mental Health. At the formation of WFMH in 1948 in the aftermath of World Ward II it was agreed that mental health services should be developed to the highest standard in all countries and mental health knowledge should be disseminated. It was also proposed that planning and support for mental health should happen in all countries including support for the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Much change has taken place since 1948 and the world is going through another cycle. It is time for us to prioritize the inclusion of mantal health in all local, national and international policies.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
If this theme is adopted, it will ensure that we can leverage the outcome of the 2023 WHO Ministerial Summit. It will enable mental health to be taken account of in education, housing, social, health, employment, food and economic policies which will benefit low, medium and high-income countries.

#12- Mental Health in a Culture of Global Division: Is it an Option in The World of Mental Health?

Rationale for the suggestion:
The original mission of mental health advocates in 1948 was to help the promotion of mental health and human relations. 75 years later global relations has witnessed an era of division that impacts mental health and quality of life. This theme supports a message of inclusion and neighborliness. The aim is to help promote a healthier and happier world society.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
This theme supports a message of inclusion and neighborliness to help promote a healthier and happier world society and is relevant to low, medium and high-income countries.

#13- Make Dignity and Social Inclusion in Mental Health a Global Priority

Rationale for the suggestion:
Many people with lived experience of mental illness continue to feel that they are treated badly in institutions, community and sometimes even at home. We need to provide hope and challenge our current ideas about mental illness and the care that is provided. There is a need to change laws to provide rights for people with mental illness, there is a need to change practices to promote dignity and wellness.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
Sadly, in a large number of countries once a person has a mental illness people are still incarcerated for the remainder of their lives. We have to work towards ensuring that mental health and wellbeing and the rights of people with mental illness are protected in all societies irrespective of whether low, medium or high income. If this theme is chosen we will have an opportunity to focus on the social determinants of health as a global priority because we now know that schools, our homes, our workplaces and our environment does matter irrespective of gender, ethnicity, culture and economic status.

#14- Fostering Improved Mental Health: Focus on The Social Determinants of Mental Health

Rationale for the suggestion:
WFMH was founded soon after World War II in recognition of, and to address the substantial role of adverse social determinants in mental health. Key WFMH partners, including the UN, through its Sustainable Development Goals, and the WHO, through its widely publicized enumeration of Adverse Social Determinants, have thus far made little impact in mental health policies, services, education, and research to better address the amelioration of these impacts. Through its global advocacy networks WFMH has a major opportunity to catalyze transformation in all these needed areas so that the impact of adverse social determinants can be better assessed and addressed by policy changes impacting system design, clinical care, education, and research.

Brief summary of the global relevance of this topic to low, medium and high- income countries:
This theme has relevance to low, medium and high income countries because it supports a focus on the impact of social injustice on the wellbeing of communities, promotes human rights of people with mental health lived experience, their families and carers and helps tackle the stigma people with mental health lived experience encounter.