World Mental Health Day is is observed on 10 October every year at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is Dignity in Mental Health-Psychological & Mental First Aid for All.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defined mental health as a state of well- being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.
According to Prof. Dr. Esmina Avdibegović, head of Department for traumatic stress disorders, mental disorders are the most important priorities and challenges for health care system today because of a high prevalence. ” The potential mental health and psychosocial consequences are well- known, as rates of mood and anxiety disorders, substance use, general psychological distress, social needs and impairments in social functioning increase among those exposed to crisis events.The mental health and psychosocial response to these events must be multi- sectorial.”, says Prof. Dr. Esmina Avdibegović
World Mental Health Day, 2016 aims to raise awareness on the psychological effects of traumatic events and sudden losses. As the social response to crisis events, the World Federation for Mental Health this year focuses on psychological and psychosocial first aid as a natural, supportive and practical response to distressed individuals.