World Mental Health Day 2025

• Written by Riya Lohia

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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You've likely experienced days when you wake up feeling an inexplicable heaviness. You go through the day — get ready, smile at people, reply to messages — but something inside feels off. You tell yourself to shake it off, to “be strong,” because that’s what everyone expects, right?

But deep down, you know it’s not that simple, and that's perfectly acceptable.

That’s exactly what World Mental Health Day is about — reminding you that your feelings are valid, your struggles are real, and you deserve support. Every year on 10 October, people around the world come together to raise awareness about mental health and break the silence surrounding emotional well-being.

Because sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say is as simple as, “I’m not okay — and that’s okay.”

It may take some time, but slowly, things will begin to change. Youroutlook on life will brighten, and the weight that seems to burden you will start to lift—a few weeks of therapy may prove to be life-changing for you.

Unfortunately, not everyone can get easy access to their mental health needs. It is estimated that 1 in 5 people suffer from a type of mental health illness. In India alone, the numbers are staggering. About 60 to 70 million people suffer from some of the most common mental disorders.

Why do We Need a Day for Mental Health Awareness?

You might think, “Do we really need a day for this?” — and yes, we absolutely do.

Mental health issues are often misunderstood and seen as a sign of weakness or instability. Lack of awareness and education further fuels this hesitance, leading many to believe problems can be resolved without professional help. Limited access to affordable therapy, especially in rural areas, also deters people. Additionally, the fear of being labelled or criticised by the extended family or society at large keeps individuals from addressing their mental health needs.

This makes celebrating World Mental Health Day all the more crucial in India, where stigma, limited awareness, and lack of access to mental healthcare persist. The mission of World Mental Health Day is to break this silence and erase the stigma. It matters because awareness is the first step toward acceptance — and acceptance leads to healing.

International Mental Health Day

International Mental Health Day, also known as Global Mental Health Day, is observed on 10 October worldwide. Its aim is to raise awareness about mental health issues and mobilise support measures.

The initiative, launched in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health with support from the WHO, promotes open conversations about mental well-being.

Each year, World Mental Health Day focuses on a different theme. The theme for World Mental Health Day 2025 is “Access to Services – Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.” This theme highlights how crises such as wars, natural disasters, and displacement impact mental well-being, emphasising the need for support services to reach everyone, everywhere.

Mental Health Day 2025: Access to Services – Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies.

For World Mental Health Day 2025, the official theme is “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies”, often framed as “Access to Services – Mental Health in Emergencies”.

This theme underscores how crises — be they wars, natural disasters, epidemics, displacement, or climate events — exacerbate emotional trauma, psychological distress, and social disruption. It also calls attention to the fact that in such settings, access to mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is often inadequate or absent.

So, this isn’t just a slogan. It’s a call to ensure that care reaches people when they are most vulnerable — not later, not for a chosen few, but for everyone in need.

Why This Focus Matters

• Crises don’t just wound bodies — they wound minds. If mental health support is delayed or missing, long-term harm can persist even after physical recovery.
• In many affected settings, one in five people may face a mental disorder.
• By integrating mental health into the foundational aspects of humanitarian response, we foster resilience not only in individuals but also in communities.

The 2025 theme isn’t abstract — it’s lifesaving. The roadmap to implement it makes it possible for every person, even in the most challenging places, to receive the care they deserve.

What Can You Do to Support the 2025 Theme?

You don’t have to be an expert to make a difference. Here’s how you can contribute to the 2025 theme of “Access to Quality Mental Health Services for All”:

• Speak up: Normalise conversations around mental health.
• Share resources: Post verified helplines or support groups online.
• Educate yourself: Read, attend webinars, or create a poster on Mental Health Day to spread awareness.
• Volunteer: Support NGOs working to expand access in underprivileged communities.
• Check in: Sometimes, just asking “Are you okay?” can mean the world.

Every small action helps create a culture where seeking help is not only accepted but also encouraged.

Health Insurance and Mental Wellness

Acknowledging the importance of mental health, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), following a Supreme Court mandate, has standardised mental illness coverage. On February 27, 2023, the court directed all health insurers (general and standalone) to offer products covering mental disorders.

Companies must also include coverage for mental illness in their health plans starting October 1, 2022. This move aims to ensure better support for individuals facing mental health challenges.

This World Mental Health Day 2025, take a moment to review your plan. Does it support your emotional health as much as your physical well-being? If not, it’s time to make a change.

How to Get Insurance Coverage for Mental Health?

Care Health Insurance offers mental health coverage as part of the Care Supreme health insurance plan. Acknowledging the crucial role mental well-being plays in overall health and providing financial support for treatment costs, Care Health offers this comprehensive plan that can be the ideal way to get coverage for mental health-related issues.

The policy covers outpatient medical expenses, reimbursing you up to the policy limit you have chosen. You can select coverage from INR 7 lakhs to INR 1 crore. The plan also includes a cashless facility for counselling, consultations, and rehabilitation at empanelled hospitals.

Final Thought

If there’s one message this year’s World Mental Health Day leaves us with, it’s this — care should never depend on your zip code or income. Everyone deserves to be heard, supported, and healed.

So take a step today — for yourself, for someone else, for a world where mental health care is not a privilege, but a promise.

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.