By Hamzah Amir Ahmed

While today may be a normal day for some, for many charities and organisations, it’s an occasion of great importance as it marks World Mental Health Day.

World Mental Health Day is an international awareness day dedicated to promoting the significance of good mental health. The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) first proposed the idea in 1992, and since its inception, October 10 has become the globally recognised day for mental health.

Following the first couple of years, the WFMH began attributing a theme for every year. Last year’s theme was Mental Health at Work. The theme for 2025 is Access to Services – Mental Health in Humanitarian Emergencies. The main focus is on ensuring that people impacted by natural disasters and/or conflicts can access mental health support.

In Glasgow, many organisations work to provide support, one of which is the Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH).

Project Leader, Jenny Bunting, describes the work they do as “support services.”

“We support individuals and groups. We work with people who have experienced trauma.”

Jenny adds that the length of time they work with individuals varies significantly.

“We can work wth someone for maybe a couple of months, or we can work with somebody for longer, just depending on what their needs are.”

For Jenny and everyone else at GAMH, “every day is a mental health day.”

Even though the theme this year is centred around access to services, support can also come in many other forms, even from just little things. Ryan Niven, a freelance sports journalist, opens up about his mental health challenges, especially with panic attacks.

While Ryan has looked and seen the help that organisations offer, what helps him more than anything is keeping close to one of his biggest passions, football.

Ryan is just one of many individuals sharing their experience; people, as well as associations, have taken to social media to post positive messages.

Arsenal football club has also got involved.

Taking care of your mental health matters. Whether it is sport or reaching out to one of the many resources available, today’s World Mental Health Day serves as an important reminder that support is there and ready to help; all you need to do is ask.

Helplines

• THE SAMARTINS
• Telephone: 116 123
• Visit: http://www.samaritans.org/
• Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Available:
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• Telephone: 0800838587
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