World Mental Health Day October 10th 2024

World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10th, 2024. We want to remind that mental health is a universal right. Everyone has the right to a good mental health in their everyday lives – at home and at work. We can all participate in building a more mental health friendly environments!

Join us in showing green light for everyones’ right to a good mental health!

Mental health is a universal right

On World Mental Health Day, we are emphasising the importance of mental health, preventing measures and getting help. This does not only concern individuals but also society as a whole because mental health issues come with a great cost socially and economically.

Mental health can be strengthened in many ways. We all should have a safe space and a place to be able to talk about our feelings in difficult times – help, when needed, must be accessable fast and easy. Getting help is easier when someone listens.

We encourage everyone to ask after others and be open about their feelings and worries in daily life, be it in day-care centres, schools, residential carehouses or workplaces.

Take a seat in the Worry Chair

The Worry Chair is a low-threshold space where emotional support is offered for various situations. The chair can be taken to any space, either live or virtually, creating a calm and confidential place for discussion.

The Worry Chair has previously been set at Provinssi and Ruisrock as well as at various exhibitions. Even Pikku Kakkonen’s teddy bears have had own Worry Chair in a children’s programme during summer 2021.

During the World Mental Health Day campaign week, MIELI Mental Health Finland’s trained Worry Chair volunteers and crisis workers provide Worry Chair services around Finland.

How can you participate in World Mental Health Day?

1. Ask “How are you?”. Talk, listen and be present. If necessary, encourage to get professional help.

In your daily life, you can encourage conversations on worries, sorrows but also sources of joy. By open and judgement free discussions, you can help create safer environments where dealing with difficult issues would be easier. If you notice that someone is having a hard time or you are worried about them, let them know that help is available and seek professional help together.

2. Share the campaign message on social media.

Think about the things that cause worry or sadness and the things that give you energy, joy and strength.

Share on social media where and to whom you feel comfortable talking to if and when  you have worries.

You can also share photos and articles by MIELI Mental Health Finland on social media on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

3. Arrange green lighting on October 10th at 6 pm or dress up in green.

On World Mental Health Day, from 6pm onwards,

• you can illuminate buildings, windows or, for example, objects that are important to you with a green light. By showing a green light, you are contributing to an environment of more open discussion.
• Also dress up in green! A t-shirt, socks or perhaps a beanie? Whatever you can find in the closet works!
• You can even organise a dance where you can shake off your worries, just like the volunteers of MIELI Mental Health Finland did over the summer.
• Share your green photos and actions on social media with the hashtags #worldmentalhealthday #maailmanmielenterveyspäivä #vihreäävaloa

4. Support the mental health work of MIELI Mental Health Finland.

Donate 10 €

on 10 October. On World Mental Health Day: Open MobilePay. Enter the donation amount. Use the phone number: 50705. Accept the donation by swiping. Other ways to donate.