World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October and is an opportunity for communities across the globe to unite to raise awareness and speak openly about mental health.

World Mental Health Day was founded on 10 October 1992 and was the initiative of Deputy Secretary General, Richard Hunter. The day was an opportunity to promote positive mental health and educate, smashing the stigma and creating positive attitudes towards mental health. Then in 1994, for the first time, the day was celebrated with a theme.

World Mental Health Day is supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and this year’s theme was proudly voted for by passionate supporters as: ‘Mental health is a universal human right.’

WHO advises that mental health is a basic human right for all individuals, with everyone having a right to the most attainable standard of mental health.

PAPYRUS is dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing; we are proud to support World Mental Health Day and aim to make suicide, mental health and emotional wellbeing a priority every day of the year.

The importance of starting safe conversations about suicide, mental health and emotional wellbeing is vital, as suicide remains the biggest killer of under 35s in the UK.

This World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to take a well-earned break, why not focus on some self-care? When it comes to self-care PAPYRUS has lots of top tips and suggestions. You could try a new activity, go out for a walk, eat some of your favourite foods or even switch off from technology for the evening.

Positive self-care has been known to boost your wellbeing, increase happiness and even reduce stress – something that we can all use a little bit more of.

To celebrate World Mental Health Day PAPYRUS is hosting its flagship event, HOPEWALK.

This year is proving to be bigger and better than ever as it is HOPEWALK’s tenth anniversary, giving people across the UK an opportunity to join with friends and family to raise awareness and speak openly about mental health and suicide prevention along the way.

For more information about how to join a HOPEWALK or how to become a HOPEWALK host please visit the PAPYRUS website.

Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, says: “Starting conversations about suicide and mental health can be challenging and difficult, it is vital that we all come together to raise awareness. This is the first step to opening up life-saving discussions and uniting.

“World Mental Health Day is a beacon of light, showing individuals that there is hope and support available.”

Support for anyone struggling with thoughts of suicide is available through our helpline, HOPELINE247. This is a dedicated helpline that is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It provides free confidential support for anyone under the age of 35 and those concerned for a young person.

HOPELINE247 can be accessed via:

We also have some really useful resources available to download on our website, these even include distraction techniques and coping strategies for when you may be having a tough day, it is important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish – it’s necessary.

To keep up to date with all of PAPYRUS’s World Mental Health Day content follow PAPYRUS on social media and if you are posting any content related to World Mental Health Day 2023, don’t forget to use #WeArePAPYRUS and #WMHD23.

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