World Mental Health Day: how you can help

This day is celebrated annually on the 10th October across the world .WMHD aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and provide mental health education. According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression will be the leading illness globally by 2030. They are calling for action now to prevent this from happening.

Every year WMHD has a different theme as set by the World Federation for Mental Health and the 2016 theme is 'Dignity in Mental Health - Psychological and Mental Health First Aid for All'.

The Mental Health Facts

• Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year
• In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (such as anxiety and depression) in any given week
• Major depression is the second leading cause of disability globally and is one of the main factors contributing to suicide and ischemic heart disease.
• 1 in 15 people have attempted suicide at some point in their life.
• 6.7 in 100 have attempted suicide
• Suicide is the most common cause of death in men aged 20-49 in England and Wales.
• Depression affects approximately 22% of men and 28% of women over the age of 65 but 85% of older people will receive no help or treatment from the NHS.

All statistics from the Mental Health Foundation and MIND

Mental Health First Aid

We all know about first aid when it comes to physical ailments. Many of us know how to put people into the recovery position, how to stem a nose bleed, even how to stop someone choking. Yet the majority of people do not know how to perform very basic mental health first aid.

By making mental health first aid this year's theme, the World Federation for Mental Health are  attempting to align the importance we place on physical first aid with mental health first aid. In turn, this will mean a greater acceptance of mental health in general and will also help to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. As a society, if we can become as open about mental health issues as we are a broken leg, for example, this will reduce the suffering of many people with mental health illnesses as it will open the floor for people to discuss their mental health issues. This is a large part of mental health recovery.

This looks likely to become a reality in the near future. The WFMH report strives to train more people across the world on mental health first aid and educate society about the small parts of mental first aid they can learn.

How can I raise money for Mental Illnesses?

The Mental Health Foundation's annual World Mental Health Day event 'Tea & Talk' is the perfect way to raise money and awareness. Get together a group of friends, colleagues or family members and have a cup of tea and a chat (throw in some cake too!) and invite your group to make donations to the MHF. This is a great way to have an open and honest chat about mental health in a safe environment.

If you don't have much time on your hands, you can text MIND to 70660 to give £3 to Mind. This will go towards supporting those with mental health issues.

How to look after your mental health

It is always important to look after our mental health and the Mental Health Foundation have ten tips to help you do so. These are small, simple changes that you can make in your own life to stay healthy.

• Talk about your feelings.
• Keep active.
• Eat well.
• Drink sensibly.
• Keep in touch.
• Ask for help.
• Take a break.
• Do something you're good at.
• Accept who you are.
• Care for others.

You can find out more by downloading the full guide.

If you are worried about your own/someone else's mental health contact Samaritans 24 hours a day on 116 123 or for questions about mental health and where to get help call Mind on 0300 123 3393. You can also talk to your GP.