Overview
There are many mental health awareness events that occur throughout the year, covering a wide range of topics.
The Australian Government National Mental Health Commission has provided a calendar of mental health and wellbeing events and days of acknowledgement which has been adapted below.
February
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is a global day of action bringing communities, schools, organisations and families from more than 180 countries together to raise awareness of online safety issues and work toward a safer internet.
World Day of Social Justice
World Day of Social Justice (Social Justice Equality Day) is an international day recognizing the need to promote social justice, which includes efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.
Mental Health Nurses' Day
Founded by the mental health nurses from across the UK, the purpose of the day is to celebrate the work of mental health nurses, and to promote working in mental health as a fantastic career choice for people of all ages and backgrounds.
March
Zero Discrimination Day
On Zero Discrimination Day, 1 March, we celebrate the right of everyone to live a full and productive life—and live it with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how people can become informed about and promote inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a movement for change. Zero Discrimination Day is helping to create a global movement of solidarity to end all forms of discrimination.
Intenational Women's Day
International Women's Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality.
Harmony Week
Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Neurodiversity Week
Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent.
International Day of Happiness
The International Day of Happiness is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 28 June 2012. The International Day of Happiness aims to make people around the world realize the importance of happiness within their lives
International Day of Happiness
Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day is a national day of action to pledge support for achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030. It is observed on the third Thursday of March. The day advocates for health equity of Australia’s indigenous people and educates the public about the health issues and barriers to well-being faced by them
World Bipolar Day
World Bipolar Day (WBD) is celebrated on March 30th, the birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, who was posthumously diagnosed as probably having bipolar disorder. The vision of WBD is to bring world awareness to bipolar disorders and eliminate social stigma. Through international collaboration the goal of World Bipolar Day is to bring the world population information about bipolar disorders that will educate and improve sensitivity towards the illness.
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility is an annual international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements! On 31 March celebrate with gender diverse people all around Australia by sharing stories, starting conversations, and attending events.
April
World Health Day
7 April is World Health Day. It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world. The date also marks the anniversary of the founding of World Health Organisation (WHO).
World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day (WICAMHD)
Children and adolescents form a third of the world's population. Research has demonstrated that adverse experiences in childhood impact lifelong mental and physical health. Most mental disorders develop in childhood and adolescence (before the age of 25), and one-quarter of disability-adjusted life years for mental and substance use disorders occur in youths. The prevalence of mental disorders continues to rise in the young and is higher than adults. The need to improve understanding of this as well as to create awareness of its importance in families, communities and societies cannot be underestimated.
World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign on April 28 to promote safe, healthy, and decent work environments. Established by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2003, industries worldwide support this initiative by holding seminars, workshops, and awareness campaigns to foster a strong culture of safety.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
May
International Nurses Day
International Nurses Day (IND) is an international day observed around the world on 12 May (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale 's birth) each year, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT)
The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia is observed on 17 May and aims to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week is the Country's largest annual celebration of volunteering. It is held in May each year and provides an opportunity to highlight the important role of volunteers in the community and encourages people to consider volunteering.
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day serves to break the stigma and raise awareness for better mental health care. Schizophrenia is a complex and often stigmatized mental health condition. Many people who live with it face social isolation, discrimination, and limited access to healthcare and support services. Raising awareness about schizophrenia can help reduce stigma and promote greater understanding and support for those affected by the condition.
World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day, officially the National Day of Healing, is an event held annually in Australia on 26 May commemorating the Stolen Generations. It marks the start of Reconciliation Week and commemorates a landmark report titled ‘Bringing them home’, which explored the forced removals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is observed in Australia from May 27 to June 3 each year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. NRW is part of Australia's formal reconciliation process, which began in 1991 after decades of advocacy by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
June
World Environment Day
World Environment Day, held annually on 5 June, brings together millions of people from across the globe, engaging them in the effort to protect and restore the Earth.
Men's Health Week
Men's Health Week is an international initiative that takes place every June and focuses on all the factors contributing to men’s wellbeing. Over the week, key experts in the men’s health space highlight the challenges men face in prioritising their health and how both individuals and healthcare systems can overcome them.
First Responders Day
Thank a First Responder Day is a day to show our gratitude and appreciation for the first responders in our community, for the work that they do to keep us safer.
July
National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.
National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee
Birth Trauma Awareness Week
Birth Trauma Awareness Week occurs worldwide each year in July and is organized by the Birth Trauma Association (BTA) in the UK and the Australian Birth Trauma Association (ABTA) in Australia. This week-long event aims to raise awareness for the millions of mothers, fathers, parents, and gestational carriers who experience trauma after giving birth, losing a pregnancy, or witnessing the birth trauma of someone they love.
International Day of Friendship
International Day of Friendship started in 2011 when it was officially recognised by the United Nations General Assembly. The day also has it's origins in 1958, when the World Friendship Crusade thought it would be nice to have a day to cherish friendships. It is celebrated on 30 July each year, and is all about letting your friends know how much you care about them and celebrating friendship.
International Day of Friendship
August
Loneliness Awareness Week
Loneliness is a critical issue and is recognised as a public health priority for many countries around the world. However, despite being highly prevalent, loneliness isn’t widely understood or spoken about in Australia. Loneliness Awareness Week (held annually in the first week of August) shines a spotlight on the shared experience of loneliness and calls on all Australians, including individuals, communities, workplaces, education, and government, to take action to reduce loneliness and create more opportunities for meaningful social connection.
Homelessness Week
Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness, start conversations, aid people experiencing homelessness and prevent those at risk from falling into homelessness. Homelessness can take many forms, it can look like anything from living in an overcrowded house to sleeping rough. It is important to recognise what homelessness looks like and how you can help those around you who may be experiencing housing insecurity.
International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9 August each year to raise awareness and protect the rights of the world's indigenous population. This event also recognizes the achievements and contributions that indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
International Youth Day (IYD)
IYD is an awareness day designated by the United Nations that takes place on August 12. The purpose of the day is to draw attention to cultural and legal issues surrounding youth and celebrate their potential as partners in today’s global society.
Bullying No Way Week
Bullying No Way Week is Australia's key bullying prevention initiative for schools. It provides an opportunity for schools to create a shared understanding about bullying behaviours and share their bullying prevention policies and strategies. The national week of action unites government, Catholic and independent schools and their communities across the country.
Wear It Purple Day
Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. Wear it Purple was founded in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity.
September
Women's Health Week
Women’s Health Week is Australia’s largest event dedicated to the health and wellbeing of all women, girls and gender-diverse people. Every September, over 200,000 people gather in the boardrooms, tearooms and community centres of Australia to share vital, up-to-date health information.
Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week (BIEDAW)
BIEDAW is a national week to raise awareness of body image concerns and eating disorders, celebrated annually in the first full week of September.
Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD)
WSPD is organized by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). WHO has been co-sponsor of the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.
R U OK Day
R U OK? is a national suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times.
October
National Safe Work Month
October is National Safe Work Month – a time to commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
Safe Work Australia is the national policy agency responsible for WHS and workers’ compensation arrangements in Australia. Since 2009, we have run a national campaign each October to raise awareness of WHS and provide resources for Australian workplaces to run their own events.
Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Week
BPD Awareness Week is observed from October 1st to 7th. During this week, efforts are made to amplify understanding, foster compassion, and promote more effective ways of dealing with Borderline Personality Disorder. The theme for BPD Awareness Week varies each year, with a focus on recovery and demystifying treatment for BPD.
International Day of Non-Violence
On the International Day of Non-Violence, we commemorate the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, and reaffirm the values to which he dedicated his life: equality, respect, peace and justice.
Gandhi believed non-violence was the greatest force available to humanity – more powerful than any weapon. Together, let’s build institutions to support that noble vision.
International Day of Non-Violence
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
World Homeless Day
World Homeless Day is observed internationally on October 10th each year. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of the needs of homeless people, advocate for better funding and improved policies to prevent homelessness, and support community efforts to prevent suffering and death among this population.
National Carer's Week
National Carers Week is an opportunity to recognise, celebrate and raise awareness about Australia's 3 million carers. More than one in ten Australians are carers. They make an enormous contribution to our community as well as our national economy.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Awareness Week
OCD Awareness Week #OCDweek is a worldwide event that serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder, break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected. For the over 200 million people worldwide living with OCD, public misconception can prevent them from accessing the timely, effective treatment they need to move from suffering to thriving.
November
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Awareness Week (PANDA)
Perinatal mental health challenges are serious and can involve a lot of stigma.
PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports parents and families during pregnancy and throughout the first year of parenthood. PANDA operates Australia’s only National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline for individuals, their families, support people and health care providers.
Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia
International Men's Day
International Men's Day is a global awareness day for many issues that men face, including parental alienation, abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence, celebrated annually on November 19. Celebrating "The positive value that men bring to the world, their families and communities."
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, followed by the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, is a moment to reflect on, renew, amplify, and strategize to achieve commitments to eliminate violence against women.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International Day of People with Disability is celebrated on December 3. This day aims to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. It's a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of people with disability.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
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