World Mental Health Day 2025: Breaking the Silence, Saving Lives

Mental health is a growing issue in a fast-paced, high-pressure world. According to WHO, 1 in 8 people globally live with a mental health condition, and nearly 70% of people do not receive any treatment because of stigma, lack of education, or limited access to mental health care services.

Anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders are among the most common causes of disability worldwide. Unfortunately, there are more than 700,000 deaths by suicide every year (1 person dies by suicide every approximately 40 seconds). Suicide is the fourth most common cause of death for the 15–29 age group.

World Mental Health Day is important because mental health is more than just statistics; it is about real lives, real stories, and the urgent need for empathy. The aim is to continue breaking the stigma surrounding mental health in order to allow people to speak, heal, and seek help without fear or shame.

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2025 is all about suicide prevention and the role we can each play in preventing loss of life. The truth is, you don’t need to be a specialist to help someone. Once in a while, all some of us need is someone to listen (we don't need the conversation to be about the problem). Kindness and empathy can go a long way. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting started.

There are a lot of things we can all do to help:

Listen, without judgment: Sometimes, people don’t want advice; they just want someone who cares.

Check in on your friends or loved ones: A message from you can make someone feel seen or valued. Contacting them can help as well.

Encourage seeking professionals: Therapy and counselling save lives, help us (and them) to normalize seeking help.

Online mindfulness: Remember that words matter. Let’s use them to uplift and support.

Feel free to share this blog with friends and family – after all, the more we know, the stronger we become.