World Mental Health Day 2025

Everyone deserves good mental health and the tools to protect it. Each year on October 10th, the world comes together for World Mental Health Day — a movement to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage meaningful action. First launched in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, the day has grown into an annual reminder that mental health is a shared responsibility.¹

The World Health Organization emphasizes that mental health is essential to overall well-being, yet it remains one of the most neglected areas of health globally. In today’s fast-paced, always-connected environment, mental well-being is no longer just a private concern. Supporting mental health strengthens families, workplaces, and communities. When people feel safe, supported, and understood, they can thrive — at home, at work, and in life.

Breaking the Stigma

Despite progress, mental health challenges still carry a heavy stigma. Many hesitate to speak openly for fear of being judged, misunderstood, or even discriminated against. This silence often prevents people from seeking help early, which can worsen outcomes.

1 in 5 U.S adults experience mental illness each year.² Nearly half of the 60 million adults and children living with mental health conditions in the United States go without any treatment.³ Stigma — fueled by myths, stereotypes, or cultural taboos — is one of the leading reasons why.

The good news is that stigma can be reduced. Awareness campaigns across the U.S., such as Make It OK and NAMI’s StigmaFree initiative, encourage open conversations and education. These efforts help communities replace judgment with compassion.

Practical steps to reduce stigma include:

Talking openly about mental health in families, workplaces, and communities.
Challenging stereotypes that suggest mental illness is a weakness or personal failing.
Highlighting recovery stories to show that people can and do live fulfilling lives with proper care.
Providing mental health education that makes these issues as visible and legitimate as physical health.

When people feel supported in sharing their experiences, they are more likely to seek treatment and adopt healthier coping strategies. Sharing personal stories, listening actively, and fostering connection can provide a powerful sense of belonging. Often, that first step toward openness is where true healing begins.

The Role of Work-Life Balance in Mental Health

Work is a major part of life, but when it consistently overshadows personal time, it can erode well-being. Research has shown that poor balance between professional and personal life is strongly associated with stress, burnout, and reduced life satisfaction.

Organizations are facing an employee burnout crisis. A recent Gallup study of nearly 7,500 full-time employees found that 23% of employees reported feeling burned out at work very often or always, while an additional 44% reported feeling burned out sometimes. That means about two-thirds of full-time workers experience burnout on the job.⁴ Burnout doesn’t just harm individuals — it also costs employers.

Practical Ways to Rebalance

Protect your boundaries: Turn off email notifications outside of work hours.
Prioritize recovery time: Commit to evenings or weekends without professional obligations.
Make time for relationships: Family and friends are powerful buffers against stress.
Engage in restorative activities: Whether gardening, reading, or pursuing hobbies, personal joy matters.
Be intentional about saying “no”: Overcommitting often leads to overwhelm.

It’s worth remembering: rest is productive. Recharging helps you return to work more focused, more creative, and better able to contribute.

Everyday Self-Care Practices

Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. A proactive approach can make everyday life more manageable and build resilience against stress.

Foundational Practices

Set clear boundaries: Define when work starts and ends. Protect personal time as you would a business meeting.
Take breaks: Even 5–10 minutes of pause can restore clarity and prevent stress from compounding.
Move your body: Incorporating walks, stretching, or short bursts of exercise improve both mental and physical health.
Practice mindfulness: Simple breathing exercises or short meditations can reduce anxiety and sharpen focus.

Expanding Self-Care Beyond Basics

Prioritize sleep hygiene: Consistent sleep routines are critical for mental health. Poor sleep is strongly linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety. Setting regular bedtimes, limiting screen time before bed, and creating a calming routine can help.
Nourish your body: Balanced nutrition impacts mood and energy levels. Eating whole foods, staying hydrated, and limiting processed snacks or excessive caffeine can reduce irritability and fatigue.
Digital wellness: Taking intentional breaks from screens, especially social media, can reduce anxiety and improve focus. Even a short daily digital detox can create space for more meaningful activities.
Seek professional support: Therapists, counselors, and support groups provide tools that self-care alone cannot. Investing in professional guidance is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Financial wellness as mental health: Money stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety. Creating a financial plan, budgeting, or working with a trusted advisor can provide stability and reduce uncertainty.

Consistency is key. Small, repeated habits are more sustainable — and often more effective — than dramatic, one-time changes.

The Employer’s Role in Mental Health

Mental health is not just an individual responsibility — it’s also a workplace issue. Employers have a unique opportunity to reduce stigma, prevent burnout, and create environments where people can thrive.

A recent study showed that employees who feel supported in their mental health are more engaged, more productive, and less likely to leave. Conversely, when organizations ignore mental health, turnover rises, and costs escalate.

Practical steps employers can take include:

Offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) with counseling and referral services.
Promoting flexibility with hybrid schedules or remote options.
Normalizing mental health days as part of PTO policies.
Training managers to recognize signs of stress and approach conversations with compassion.
Creating a culture of openness where discussing well-being is encouraged, not penalized.

The workplace can either add to stress or help relieve it. By investing in the latter, companies not only protect their teams but also improve long-term performance.

Why World Mental Health Day Matters Beyond October 10th

While World Mental Health Day draws global attention once a year, the issues it highlights require year-round commitment. The day is both a celebration and a call to sustained action — to reduce stigma, promote awareness, and improve access to care.

This means:

For individuals: Keep conversations alive after October 10th; check in with friends, family, and colleagues regularly.
For employers: Integrate wellness initiatives, flexible scheduling, and mental health education into workplace culture. Simple steps — like encouraging employees to take vacations, offering wellness programs, or providing access to counseling — can go a long way.
For communities: Support programs that increase access to affordable care, especially in underserved areas.

The real impact of World Mental Health Day comes when the spotlight turns into sustained attention — not just one day of awareness, but a daily commitment to compassion and support.

Keep the Light On

As we shine a light on World Mental Health Day, let’s remember that supporting mental health requires more than one day of reflection. Through open conversations, balanced lifestyles, and accessible self-care, we can create communities where well-being is prioritized, and stigma is diminished.

Mental health deserves our attention every day — and together, we can build a compassionate culture that lasts well beyond October 10th.

Disclaimer

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The information in this article has been sourced from WHO.int, APA.org, Stigmafree.nami.org, scirp.org, and journal.achsm.org.au,

Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Bleakley Financial Group, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser, doing business as OnePoint BFG Wealth Partners.

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OP #25-0317

World Mental Health Day 2025

Breaking the Stigma