World Mental Health Month takes place this October, and October 10th marks World Mental Health Day. Starting 30 years ago, World Mental Health Day provides the opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues and creates a platform for action.
This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health & Wellbeing For All A Global Priority’, which provides the opportunity to reconnect, invest, promote and improve mental health across our communities. We can all play a role in increasing mental health awareness, having open conversations about mental health, and reducing stigma. This campaign provides the ultimate opportunity for us all to build mental health awareness, united as one.
Research* shows that Irish women have a lower wellbeing score than men, especially women who are full-time homemakers or carers. The most recent Health at a Glance: Europe report published in November 2020, developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in cooperation with the EU Commission, reported that Ireland has one of the highest rates (3/36 countries) of mental health illness in Europe with 18.5% of the Irish population recorded as having a mental health illness such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, or alcohol/drug use. Read the full article
