World Mental Health Day 2022 – event

World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October. Since 1992, the global community unites on this day to raise awareness and reduce the stigma that surrounds people with mental health problems.  

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Make mental health & wellbeing a global priority for all’. 

In line with this year’s theme, Mental Health Europe (MHE) hosted a hybrid event at the European Parliament on 10 October focusing on migrants, refugees and mental health. We joined the global community to raise awareness about the importance of mental health for all.  In the current context of global uncertainty and turbulence, there’s a need to make mental health a priority across Europe.   

The event, co-hosted by MEP Tilly Metz and MEP Estrella Durá Ferrandis, brought together key actors to discuss the importance of good mental health and how best to provide adequate mental health support in the context of increased migration across Europe. 

Recent geopolitical events have generated growing concerns about the mental health of those impacted by the war and this humanitarian crisis has prompted multi-dimensional examples of solidarity.  Many countries throughout Europe hosting migrants and refugees find themselves in urgent need to provide access to mental health care, increase mental health literacy of communities, and invest in social inclusion for mental wellbeing, especially for children and young people.  This MHE event was an opportunity to put the spotlight on the short, medium, and long-term mental health consequences of displacement and exile. 

Social media hashtage: 

• #WorldMentalHealthDay  
• #WMHD2022  
• Post event press release