World Mental Health Day 2025: Access to Services for All

World Mental Health Day 2025 - 10 October

Growing Up Unaware

Growing up in the 90s, mental health wasn’t something we talked about much. I spent a large part of my young life oblivious to my own needs and mental wellbeing. While my childhood wasn’t marked by what most would classically call trauma, there were moments I could have benefited from more support—navigating my parents' difficult divorce when I was thirteen, followed by a significant injury at 15 years old that led to multiple operations and missed school. Experiences like these may seem small in comparison to catastrophic events, yet they are what many call “everyday trauma.”

What is Everyday Trauma?

Everyday trauma isn’t always dramatic or headline-grabbing. It’s the accumulation of experiences that challenge our emotional wellbeing: the stress of family conflict, bullying at school, feeling isolated, financial strain, or serious health problems. These experiences can quietly shape the way we see the world, how we relate to others, and even how our brains respond to stress. Left unacknowledged, everyday trauma can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges—sometimes surfacing years after the initial experience.

World Mental Health Day 2025

World Mental Health Day 2025 highlights “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” From war and conflict to natural disasters, the need for timely, accessible support is critical. Yet, while these large-scale events are urgent and visible, the smaller, everyday struggles are still just as important. Early recognition and support, whether in response to acute crises or ongoing life stressors, can make all the difference.

Seeing the Difference Firsthand

In my work as a therapist, and through volunteering with a charity that provides free counselling, I see firsthand how access transforms lives. The charity supports NHS services, offering help to those on long waiting lists. It also runs programs supporting local refugees, many of whom arrive having experienced trauma in their home countries, then facing additional stress in resettling—uncertainty, cultural barriers, and sometimes the harsh reality of feeling unsafe in their new surroundings. Accessible mental health support for them isn’t just helpful; it can be life-changing.

Accessible Mental Health Support for Everyone

Accessible mental health support should be available to anyone who needs it, whether they are navigating personal setbacks, recovering from everyday trauma, or coping with the aftermath of catastrophes. Free and low-cost services, alongside private options, help ensure that everyone can find the support that suits their circumstances—building more resilient, healthier communities.

A Personal Reflection

On this World Mental Health Day, my hope is simple: that no one has to navigate life’s challenges alone, and that access to support—whether for everyday struggles or emergencies—becomes the norm, not the exception. Reflecting on my own journey, I often wonder what might have been different if I had learned earlier to care for my mental health. That curiosity fuels my work today, reminding me that it’s never too late to start.