The World Health Organization defines 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 fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”
World Mental Health Day, which is observed on the 10th of October each year, aims to increase awareness of mental health challenges and bring people from around the world together in support of improving mental wellbeing.
The theme of this year's World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is 'Mental health in an unequal world', which was chosen to acknowledge the increasingly polarised nature of the world today and the way this inequality has an impact on people’s mental health.
Mental health and substance use issues are commonly linked, and it is important that practitioners are skilled and knowledgeable in identifying and working with the potential challenges an individual may be facing. Indeed, multidisciplinary work that involves specialist mental health and substance use practitioners is recommended.
You can find more information about mental health and substance use by searching through the ISSUP Knowledge Share or joining the mental health network.