World Mental Health Day 2025: Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies

Every 10 October, World Mental Health Day invites us to reflect on wellbeing and take action to protect it. The theme for 2025 is Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies, with a focus on access to services for people whose lives have been disrupted by war, natural disasters, pandemics, and other crises.

The reality of emergencies

Emergencies fracture communities in many ways. Homes and livelihoods are lost, families are separated, and essential services such as healthcare and education are disrupted. Alongside physical harm, the emotional toll is severe. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly one in five people living in conflict-affected areas will experience a mental health disorder. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable, and humanitarian workers themselves also carry the weight of trauma.

Yet mental health is too often overlooked in crisis response. Support is underfunded, services are stretched, and stigma prevents many from seeking help. This year’s theme calls for change: mental health is not an optional extra, it is a lifeline in recovery.

Coping when we feel powerless

For those of us watching these crises unfold through constant news and social media, it is common to feel overwhelmed or helpless. Research shows that ongoing exposure to distressing media coverage can affect our own wellbeing, leading to stress, fatigue, and hopelessness.

It is important to remember that while we cannot solve every crisis ourselves, we can still support both our own mental health and that of others.

Practical ways to cope include:

• Limiting media consumption, especially before bed, and focusing on trusted sources.
• Talking through feelings of helplessness with friends or support networks.
• Taking breaks from screens and engaging in calming routines such as walking, journaling, or creative activities.
• Practising small acts of contribution: donating to reliable organisations, sharing accurate information, or volunteering locally.

How we can help

Even when we feel far removed from a crisis, there are ways to make a difference:

• Raise awareness: share reliable information about mental health in emergencies to reduce stigma and encourage support.
• Support humanitarian organisations: donations, fundraising, or volunteering with trusted charities can help bring mental health services where they are most needed.
• Advocate for better services: encourage conversations that place mental health alongside physical health in disaster response planning.
• Show solidarity: small gestures of empathy, compassion, and respect for those affected can foster resilience in our communities and beyond.

Moving forward

World Mental Health Day 2025 reminds us that mental health matters everywhere, in refugee camps, in cities affected by disasters, and in our own homes where news of crises can take a toll. By caring for our own wellbeing while supporting access to mental health services for others, we help create a world where psychological support is not a privilege but a basic right.

References

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2025

https://wfmh.global/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/worldmentalhealthday

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-in-emergencies

https://www.paho.org/en/campaigns/world-mental-health-day-2025

https://www.unicef.org/protection/mental-health-psychosocial-support-in-emergencies

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10410236.2025.2457557

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/11/strain-media-overload