Finding Strength: Celebrating World Mental Health Day

We should care about our mental health every day—but especially on October 10, World Mental Health Day. The World Health Organization introduced this day to raise awareness about mental health issues affecting people around the world, and to support those who are struggling.

Good mental health should not be considered a luxury, but a necessity—especially in today’s world. With so much happening in politics, technology, and the economy, it’s easy to find ourselves on a slippery slope toward poor mental health. We need to prioritize our well-being and take care of ourselves and one another.

Let’s celebrate World Mental Health Day by learning some important facts and ways to help.

Know the Facts

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 6 youth ages 6 to 17 experience a mental health disorder each year. In 2023, the CDC reported that 40% of U.S. high school students felt persistent sadness or hopelessness within the past year. And according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 6 people experienced a major depressive episode in 2020.

These facts show just how severe the mental health crisis really is—it’s not an issue that can be ignored. You can keep learning and researching mental health to better understand the challenges young people are facing around the world. The truth is, some of these issues may be affecting your peers, classmates, or the people closest to you, which makes it all the more important to be aware of what they—and you—might be dealing with.

How to Help

You’ve already started making an impact just by reading this blog. Learning the facts is the first step toward understanding the issue. Next, get involved by observing and participating in World Mental Health Day activities. Whether it’s spreading awareness at your school or educating your family, it’s important to keep the conversation going. Even beyond this one day, don’t shy away from talking about mental health just because it feels uncomfortable—those conversations matter.

Finally, take part in activities that protect your own mental health: practice mindfulness, stay active, prioritize self-care, build connections, and ask for help when you need it. Remember—there’s nothing wrong with reaching out for support.

You can also find more mental health resources on SADD’s website, including the Mental Health Toolkit, Erika’s Lighthouse Training Series, and TextLess Live More. Try these activities with a group and take a moment to celebrate yourself and your peers—you deserve it.

------

Check out our Mental Health programs at sadd.org/programs.