World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day began October 10th
1992 as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health. 

In the first three years  a two-hour global telecast
from the US information agency satellite system studios in Talahassee, Florida
spread a general message of mental health concerns.  

A First Ladies Committee chaired by Mrs. Rosalynn
Carter was key to the launch of World Mental Health Day. The First Ladies of 11
countries joined Mrs. Carter in the Committee to support World Mental Health
Day. That Committee has grown and evolved into "the WFMH International
Women Leaders Committee" which currently has 41 members and is hosted at
the Carter Center in Atlanta, with Mrs. Carter remaining its chair. 

Since 1994 each World Mental Health Day has had a theme
and associated programs and events.  

World Mental Health Day themes from past years:

• 1996 Women and Mental Health

• 1997 Children and Mental Health

• 1998 Mental Health and Human Rights

• 1999 Mental Health and Aging

• 2000-2001 Mental Health and Work

• 2002 The Effects of Trauma and Violence on
  Children & Adolescents

• 2003 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders of
  Children & Adolescents

• 2004 The Relationship Between Physical &
  Mental Health: co-occurring disorders