As an addiction treatment center, Liberty Bay’s main focus is helping people manage substance use disorder. However, we also understand the importance of promoting good mental health. World Mental Health Day is for anyone who’s ever undergone depression treatment or struggled with mental illness. This day is specifically intended to call attention to the importance of mental health through education to help erase the social stigma and broaden the scope and quality of accessible mental health care. At Liberty Bay Recovery, we’re proud to be part of the network of mental health professionals spanning the globe. We’re here to help with some of the most pressing mental health concerns ranging from anxiety and depression to codependency treatment, personality disorders, and PTSD, so you can get back to feeling like yourself and living the best quality of life possible.

What Is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day is on October 10th of each year. With the expressed purpose of raising mental health awareness, this day brings thousands together to call attention to the importance of mental health and its impact on people’s lives across the globe. Each year, people gather in countries worldwide to celebrate and promote mental health awareness and the necessity of continued care and improved services for those who have a long-term mental illness.

The History of World Mental Health Day

First celebrated on October 10th, 1992, World Mental Health Day was initiated by the World Federation of Mental Health. In the first year, the date was established by Deputy Secretary-General Richard Hunter as a single activity to raise mental health awareness. Still, it caught on and has been commemorated by annual celebrations since then. In the first few years of conception, World Mental Health Day had no set theme. There was a two-hour informational broadcast that reached across the globe through the US information agency satellite system. Members around the world participated by phone and sent in pre-taped segments to be aired during the broadcast.

Since then, a lot has changed. In 1994 Secretary-General Eugene Brody proposed giving the day a theme to call attention to a specific aspect of mental health. The very first theme was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services Throughout the World.” Each year since has had a theme that corresponds with the changing times as they affect mental health in the modern world. Some of the themes over the years include:

• Women and Mental Health, 1996
• The Effects of Trauma and Violence on Children and Adolescents, 2002
• Mental Health in a Changing World: The Impact of Culture and Diversity, 2007
• Living with Schizophrenia, 2014
• Move for Mental Health: Increase Investment in Mental Health, 2020

These carefully selected themes serve as a call to action on topics of significance each year.

How to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness

Much like in 1992, when it first started, the day is marked by an event broadcasted worldwide. As the times have changed, this event looks a bit different from it back then, with a broad range of expert and celebrity guest speakers such as Demi Lovato, Lady Gaga, and Selena Gomez, live streaming access, and critically acclaimed music events. In addition, to live streaming access to the main event, those wishing to get involved and observe World Mental Health Day are encouraged to participate in workplace group therapy, practice self-care, and research the annual theme to find out how it affects you and the people around you to spread further awareness and understanding.

Addiction Treatment Matters

Substance use disorder often stands in the way of mental health. The following programs at Liberty Bay can help:

• Inpatient detox
• Prescription drug rehab
• Residential rehab

Liberty Bay Recovery Promotes Addiction Recovery

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or both, our compassionate team of healthcare professionals is standing by. Call Liberty Bay Recovery today at (855) 607-8758 or through the online form to find out how to help.