World Mental Health Day – 10th October: Understanding, Caring, and Making Change

Every year on 10th October, people around the world come together to recognise World Mental Health Day. It’s more than a date on the calendar — it’s a chance to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and remind ourselves that mental health matters just as much as physical health.

Why World Mental Health Day Matters

Mental health touches everyone. Whether you’ve experienced anxiety, depression, grief, or burnout — or supported someone who has — it’s part of being human. This day encourages open conversations about how we feel, reducing the shame that often surrounds mental distress. It also reminds us that help is available and recovery is possible.

With global challenges, uncertainty, and pressure in everyday life, many people struggle to find balance. World Mental Health Day invites us to pause, reflect, and take meaningful steps to care for ourselves and others.

How You Can Support Your Mental Health

Looking after your mental health doesn’t have to mean big changes overnight. Small, consistent actions can make a real difference:

• Connect with others – Spend time with people who listen without judgement.

• Move your body – Even gentle exercise, such as a walk, can improve mood and reduce stress.

• Practise mindfulness – Staying present can help calm an anxious mind.

• Get enough rest – Sleep is essential for emotional regulation and resilience.

• Seek professional support – Talking to a counsellor or therapist can help you understand and manage what’s going on beneath the surface.

Psychological Theories That Can Help You Understand Yourself

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental wellbeing. Different psychological theories offer unique insights into how we think, feel, and grow:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It helps you identify unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with more balanced perspectives — useful for managing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

Person-Centred Therapy (PCT)

Developed by Carl Rogers, PCT is built on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness. It helps you explore your feelings in a safe, non-judgemental space, promoting self-acceptance and personal growth.

Psychodynamic Approach

Rooted in Freud’s work, this approach explores how early experiences and unconscious processes shape your current behaviour. Understanding past influences can bring healing and freedom from repeated patterns.

Attachment Theory

Proposed by John Bowlby, attachment theory highlights how early relationships with caregivers affect how we relate to others in adulthood. Exploring your attachment style can improve relationships and emotional security.

Jungian Psychology

Carl Jung believed in the power of the unconscious, archetypes, and personal individuation. His approach can help you find meaning, balance, and self-understanding — especially during life transitions.

Transactional Analysis (TA)

TA explores communication and the “ego states” (Parent, Adult, Child) that shape interactions. Understanding these can improve self-awareness, relationships, and emotional regulation.

Making Changes That Last

Each of these approaches offers tools for understanding yourself and your patterns. Whether you work with a therapist or explore these ideas independently, awareness is the first step towards change. When we learn to recognise our thoughts, feelings, and relational patterns, we gain the power to respond — not just react.

On World Mental Health Day, take a moment for yourself. Reach out to someone you trust. Breathe. Reflect. You don’t have to face things alone — and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let this 10th of October be a day of compassion, curiosity, and connection — for yourself, and for those around you. If you are struggling, please reach out for help or talk to a trusted person or a therapist.