World Mental Health Day 2016
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October, covers “psychological first aid”. Efforts in support of the day will focus on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role whether they be health staff, teachers, firemen, community workers, or police officers.
World Mental Health Day is an annual event which aims to:
1. Raise awareness of mental health issues across the
globe
2. Mobilize efforts in support of mental health
• Mental health problems are an extremely
important issue worldwide due to their impact on
the human rights and quality of life of those
affected and their families
• This year’s theme: Psychological First Aid (PFA)
WHO publication http://www.who.int/mental_heal th/emergencies/en/
PFA can be provided by professionals and nonprofessionals alike • Everyone should have access to PFA following a crisis event, as part of the spectrum of mental health and psychosocial support • PFA is widely used for disaster preparedness and response by governments, UN and NGOs • Resources are freely available and adapted to local languages and contexts: http://www.who.int/mental_health/publications/ guide_field_workers/en/
