By Meghan Holohan
Over the years, TODAY’s Carson Daly has shared his experiences with anxiety and panic attacks and the healthy ways he’s learned to tend to his mental well-being. He strongly supports observing World Mental Health Day because of this. The question is, what is World Mental Health Day, and how do you observe it?
For the occasion, Phil Schermer, CEO of Project Healthy Minds, and Carson discussed the significance of mental health.
It should be as easy to find mental health services in America as it is to book a flight, hotel, or restaurant reservation,” Schermer told Daly during an Oct. 10 segment.
But sadly, the need for more robust mental health care is great: About 65 million Americans have a mental illness with about 60% of them not receiving treatment.
We’re trying to help 10 million Americans over the next 10 years find mental health services,” Schermer said. Every American across the country is participating in World Mental Health Day because there isn’t a single person in the family that is not touched by mental health.”
Why mental health is important?
Every aspect of a person’s life including their work school, home, and other social circumstances can be impacted by their World Mental Health. They might also affect your relationships which are essential for long-term fulfillment.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) annually one in five American adults experience mental illness with one in 20 grappling with serious mental illness. Mental illness remains complex, NAMI says, with genetics, environment and lifestyle all playing a role. The organization stresses that people who have mental illnesses haven’t done something to cause it, and no one should feel ashamed about having a mental health condition.
What is the purpose of World Mental Health Day?
World Mental Health Day recognized on Oct. 10 annually increases awareness of mental health and the role it plays in people’s lives across the world the World Health Organization says.
The day gives experts and advocates the chance to talk about efforts to bolster access to mental health care and what still needs to be done to assure that all who need it receive good mental health care. Another goal of World Mental Health is to encourage people to take the day to reflect on the state of their own mental health, chat about what mental well-being means, and advocate for better mental health care.
What is the theme for World Mental Health Day 2023?
World Mental Health Day 2023’s theme is Our Minds Our Rights emphasizing the importance that mental health is a universal human right according to the WHO. Mental health is a basic human right for all people. Everyone whoever and wherever they are has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health the organization says.
The physical and social welfare of one in eight persons worldwide is impacted by a mental health issue. Children teens and young adults are becoming more and more likely to suffer from mental illness.
Despite the fact that mental health problems are widespread the group emphasizes that individuals with mental disorders must overcome stigma feel excluded and struggle to receive the essential care they need to survive.
How to celebrate World Mental Health Day?
Project Health Minds offered a spin session, a community run, breathing exercises, and a sound bath to help people focus on the connection between mind and body in fostering healthy mental well-being. The organization and many others will host conversations about mental health on Oct. 10.
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Carson will also be speaking with Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and others about social media and young people at the Archewell Foundation Parents Summit.
But the easiest way to celebrate World Mental Health Day is to make time to prioritize your own mental well-being — whether that’s by taking a mental health day from work, exercising, eating a nutritious meal, or doing any other activity that makes you feel relaxed and rejuvenated — and simply talking about your mental health candidly. You can post with #WorldMentalHealthDay.
