World Mental Health Day – Saturday 10th October 2026

Health & Safety October 9 2026

 

World Mental Health Day is a day when people from across the world recognise mental health as a universal human right and call for action to ensure everyone can access quality care. The day is a reminder that one in eight people on the planet live with a mental health condition, often facing stigma, discrimination, and inadequate treatment. It also serves as a focal point for raising awareness, confronting systemic barriers, and promoting inclusion, dignity, and community-based support worldwide.

World Mental Health Day is on Saturday 10th October. The theme of World Mental Health Day 2026 is

“Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”.

This year’s theme is especially important to consider from a workplace context when considering ‘lived experiences’ as workplace incidents or traumatic events can occur on any work site, any road, or in any workplace and these impactful events can directly affect our mental health.

Launch of New Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Workplace Standards

The new MHFA England Workplace Mental Health First Aid Standards launch occurred on Tuesday 6th October 2026.

In 2025 the CWU and other unions contributed to the public consultation on Workplace Mental Health First Aid Standards with the aim that every employee has access to high-quality mental health support, wherever they work, and whatever their role.

The new standards are provided alongside the LTB which can be found via this link

CWU Mental Health First Aid training

CWU Mental Health First Aid training will be available in 2027. The 2-day course provides training to all learners to aid a better understanding of:

  • What a traumatic event is
  • What Crisis First Aid looks like for traumatic events
  • What protective factors are available for supporting our Metal Health.

Please contact CWU Health & Safety Policy Assistant at jmcgovern@cwu.org for further details

The following link can take you to your nearest support service:

Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope