World Mental Health Day
Every year on 10th October, we celebrate World Mental Health Day, an initiative to raise awareness and promote action for mental health across the globe.
Each year, World Mental Health Day focuses on a specific theme, highlighting key issues around mental health and the importance of equal access to care and support.
For 2026, the theme of World Mental Health Day set by the World Federation for Mental Health is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. With 1 in 4 people in Scotland facing a mental health challenge [Scottish Health Survey], listening to people with lived experience is crucial for creating mental health support that is accessible, compassionate and responsive.
At Change Mental Health, lived experience is one of our core values. We believe that people with experience of mental health challenges, whether their own or through supporting someone close to them, have valuable knowledge, insight and expertise that can help shape support. By listening to those with lived experience, it means we can ensure that support is designed, delivered and evaluated for the people we support.
One of the core ways we incorporate lived experience is by embedding and encouraging peer support in our services, where people draw on their own experiences to support others going through similar challenges. Studies show that peer support is an effective way of promoting recovery, by encouraging resilience and empowerment and reducing symptoms [Psychological Medicine].
This World Mental Health Day, join us in celebrating how peer support can turn lived experience into meaningful support and real change.
Importance of peer support
Dealing with mental health challenges can be isolating and feeling misunderstood may worsen those struggles. Peer support can help bridge this gap by creating a safe, supportive environment where people feel understood and accepted. Whether through one-on-one interactions or in a group setting, peer support provides an opportunity for people to speak openly about their struggles with others who truly understand.
Below are four ways peer support can benefit mental health:
- Reduces stigma – Sharing experiences with others can help tackle stigma and remind people that they are not alone.
- Sense of belonging – Connecting with others in similar situations can help reduce isolation and create a feeling of acceptance and community.
- Hope that recovery is possible – Hearing other people’s experiences and how they coped in tough times can offer hope and show that things can change for the better.
- Learning new coping strategies – Peers can share practical strategies and experiences that may help others navigate challenges and manage their mental health.
“Sitting alongside other men and hearing them speak openly about their experiences made me realise I was not suffering alone.
As people listened to my experiences, I could see them relating to parts of my story. Equally, I was learning from theirs. At times, somebody would describe a way of coping with a difficult situation and I would think, “I can relate to that. Maybe I should try that myself.” We were learning from each other every week.”
Reflections on how peer support can help from Fredrick, who was supported by the Signature Project in Edinburgh. Read Fredrick’s story here
How can I support World Mental Health Day?
Your donation to Change Mental Health, big or small, helps us to deliver person-centred support to people impacted by mental illness across Scotland. Make a donation to Change Mental Health today to transform lives.
Fancy taking on a challenge, having fun and raising money for people affected by mental illness? Explore our range of upcoming events, find a challenge in your area and sign up today. Together, we can build a future where no one faces mental illness alone.
Knowing how to listen and respond supportively to someone in crisis can make a huge difference. Change Mental Health offers Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA) training, and you can source these training opportunities through Public Health Scotland, which can help you in gaining confidence on how to help others with their mental health.
support
Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.
We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well as supporting with debt, grants and benefits.
The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.
For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.
