More than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition, yet many do not receive the care they need.
World Mental Health Day is observed annually on 10 October to raise awareness of mental health and mobilise efforts in support of mental well-being. The 2026 theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, places people with lived experience of mental health conditions at the centre of efforts to shape services, reduce stigma and improve care. Governments, health institutions, employers, communities and families are encouraged to listen to people with lived experience, challenge stigma and discrimination, and support access to community-based mental health services.
Authors: Winfred Nakaweesi1*, Allan Amandu1, Robert Masamba Namisi2, Irene Ayaa1
Institutional affiliation: 1Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda; 2Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program-Laboratory Leadership Program; Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
*Correspondence: Email: wnakaweesi@uniph.go.ug; Tel: +256774572807