Last updated: October 2026
World Mental Health Day is on 10 October every year, and in 2026 it falls on a Saturday. The theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. It’s a day to talk openly, check in on others and look after your own mental wellbeing.
Below: what the day is about, the latest UK figures, simple ways to mark it at home, at work or at school, the NHS’s 5 steps to wellbeing, and where to get help.
What is World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day was started by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992 and is now supported by the World Health Organization. Each year on 10 October, charities, workplaces, schools and individuals use it to raise awareness, challenge stigma and push for better mental health support.
| World Mental Health Day | Mental Health Awareness Week | |
|---|---|---|
| When | 10 October | May |
| Run by | World Federation for Mental Health | Mental Health Foundation (UK) |
| Reach | Global | UK |
The World Mental Health Day 2026 theme explained
The 2026 theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. It asks organisations to listen to people who have lived with mental health conditions and to involve them in decisions about care, services and policy. In practice, it’s a good prompt to share experiences, if you feel comfortable, and to listen without judging when others share theirs.
Mental health in England: the latest figures
The NHS Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, the largest survey of its kind, published its 2023/4 results in 2025:
| Finding | Figure |
|---|---|
| Adults with a common mental health condition such as anxiety or depression | 1 in 5 (20.2%) |
| Women vs men | 24.2% vs 15.4% |
| Most common condition | Generalised anxiety disorder (7.5%) |
| Change over time, adults aged 16 to 64 | Up from 15.5% in 1993 to 22.6% in 2023/4 |
In other words, almost everyone knows someone who is struggling, which is exactly why a day to talk about it matters.
10 ways to mark World Mental Health Day
For yourself
- Check in honestly. How have you been sleeping, eating and feeling for the last 2 weeks?
- Get outside in daylight, even for a 20-minute walk. October light is precious.
- Plan one thing just for you, such as a bath, a book, a class or an early night.
- Have a screen-free evening and see how you sleep.
With others
- Message someone you haven’t heard from in a while. “Thinking of you, how are things?” is enough.
- Ask twice. “How are you?” often gets “fine”. Asking again shows you mean it.
- Listen without fixing. Most people want to be heard more than advised.
At work or school
- Share where support is, such as an employee assistance programme, mental health first aiders or NHS Talking Therapies.
- Hold a walking meeting or a tea break with no work talk.
- Lead by example: take your lunch break and log off on time.
The NHS’s 5 steps to mental wellbeing
| Step | Easy ways to start |
|---|---|
| 1. Connect with other people | Eat a meal with someone, call instead of texting |
| 2. Be physically active | A brisk walk, a bike ride, dancing in the kitchen |
| 3. Learn new skills | A new recipe, a short course, a DIY job |
| 4. Give to others | Say thank you, help a neighbour, volunteer |
| 5. Pay attention to the present moment | Notice your breathing, your food, the walk to work |
Sleep, stress and your mental health
Sleep and mood feed each other: a bad run of sleep makes stress and low mood harder to handle, and worry makes it harder to sleep. Protecting your sleep is one of the most practical things you can do, especially with the clocks going back on 25 October. See how to protect your sleep when the clocks change and winter blues.
Food and supplements play a supporting role, not a starring one. Magnesium contributes to normal psychological function and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Some people also find a calming evening drink ritual or CBD part of their routine. Read our honest guides to natural supplements for anxiety, magnesium for anxiety and stress in men.
Where to get help
- NHS Talking Therapies: free therapy for anxiety and depression in England. You can refer yourself online without seeing your GP.
- Your GP, if low mood, anxiety or poor sleep has lasted more than 2 weeks or is affecting your daily life.
- NHS 111, choosing the mental health option, if you need urgent help.
- Samaritans: call 116 123, free, any time of day or night.
- Shout: text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential text support.
- If your life is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E.
FAQs
When is World Mental Health Day 2026?
Saturday 10 October 2026. It’s on 10 October every year.
What is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2026?
“Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, set by the World Federation for Mental Health.
Is World Mental Health Day a bank holiday?
No. It’s an awareness day, not a public holiday, though many workplaces and schools mark it.
What is the difference between World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week?
World Mental Health Day is a global day on 10 October. Mental Health Awareness Week is a UK week in May run by the Mental Health Foundation.
How can I mark World Mental Health Day at work?
Share where support is available, hold a walking meeting or tea break, and encourage people to take breaks and log off on time.
Sources
- World Federation for Mental Health. World Mental Health Day 2026.
- NHS England. Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey: survey of mental health and wellbeing, England, 2023/4.
- NHS. 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
- NHS. NHS Talking Therapies.
- Samaritans. Contact Samaritans.
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
