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Our previous article in this series highlighted that the aim of this year’s World Mental Health Day campaign is to encourage meaningful changes within mental health systems. Implementation should be based on the lived experiences of those with mental health conditions.
How Experiences Can Lead to Real Change
The theme for this year is: ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’. The World Federation for Mental Health has stressed that the focus of World Mental Health Day 2026 is closely aligned with the World Health Organization’s deinstitutionalization initiative.
People with lived experience of mental illness and mental disorders understand mental health care systems better than anyone. Their insight is key to making impactful changes to mental health policies and services.
What Issues Need to Be Addressed?
Countless people around the world suffering with mental health also experience problems on top of their health issues. These include:
- Facing stigmas associated with mental disorders.
- Societal disadvatages and inequality.
- Discrimination and social exclusion.
- Cost of living problems.
- Lack of appropriate education.
- Dealing with prejudice.
These additional problems can cause barriers to receiving suitable care and treatment. Addressing issues such as these while engaging and working closely with those with lived experience is vital to provide beneficial changes to mental healthcare systems, policies and treatment facilities.
The next article in this series discusses how the World Health Organization is inviting change to mental health systems through deinstitutionalization.
Related:
Mental Health Resources
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Covers suicide from a variety of perspectives, the reasons behind suicide, the groups most at risk and the warning signs.
- Category: General
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 61
Price: £10.99 Now: £5.49
Suicide is Never the Answer
Understand the reasons behind suicidal feelings in young people and recognise the signs to help prevent this tragedy.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 1999
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 44
Price: £8.99 Now: £4.49
Teenage Depression — A Way Out
Tackles the issue of depression including causes and signs that parents and teachers can look out for.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 1999
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 87
Price: £10.99 Now: £5.49
Mental Health Lesson Plans
Exam Stress
This lesson plan provides information and advice on dealing with exam stress.
- Age range: 12
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 17
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Generalised Anxiety Disorder
A lesson plan examining teenage anxiety and generalised anxiety disorder — a more extreme form of anxiety.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 14
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Introduction to Depression
This lesson plan introduces depression and the way it affects us physically and mentally.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 14
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Introduction to Loneliness
An introduction to loneliness and the way it affects our physical and mental health.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 15
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Introduction to Mental Health
This lesson plan introduces the subject of mental health and mental illness.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 15
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Suicide Prevention
A lesson plan designed to promote suicide awareness and prevention.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 21
Price: £2.99 Now: £1.49
Free Mental Health Resources
Depression
How can someone tell if they are suffering with depression? This free resource seeks to find out.
- Category: Schools
- Pages: 8
Free Download
Loneliness
What is loneliness and what causes people to feel lonely? This free resource explores these questions.
- Category: Schools
- Pages: 6
Free Download