WHO Declares Mental Health a Universal Right on World Mental Health Day

Oct, 11 2025

When World Health Organization (WHO) unveiled its 2023 campaign, the message was unmistakable: mental health belongs to everyone, everywhere. The rallying cry — "Mental health is a universal human right" — echoed across continents on World Mental Health Day 2023Geneva. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director‑General, reminded the world that "everyone, wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health."

Why the theme matters

Since its first observance in 1992, World Mental Health Day has been a barometer for how societies value psychological well‑being. This year’s theme, "Our minds, our rights," nudged policymakers to treat mental health the same way they treat clean water or safe roads – as a non‑negotiable public good.

In 2023, WHO released a stark figure: roughly one in eight people – about 970 million individuals – live with a mental health condition. That number isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action. The agency warned that without protection, these people risk being denied education, employment, and even basic civil liberties.

The numbers behind the plea

970 million people worldwide experience a mental health disorder.
Depression and anxiety together cost the global economy about $1 trillion each year in lost productivity.
Suicide claims 800,000 lives annually – roughly one death every 40 seconds.
During the first year of the COVID‑19 pandemic, anxiety and depression rose by 25 %.
In low‑ and middle‑income countries, an estimated 75 % of those needing care receive none.

These figures were highlighted during a live webcast at 12:00 PM UTC, where Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally warned that the mental‑health crisis could become "the next pandemic, a hidden pandemic."

Civil society steps up

Tarun Gupta, co‑founder of Lissun, emphasized the economic toll: "Anxiety and depression alone bleed the global economy of a trillion dollars each year." He added that mental illness is now the leading cause of disability worldwide, and for people aged 15‑29, suicide ranks fourth among all deaths.

Rotary pledged to "take a leadership role in mental health," committing funds to community‑based outreach in underserved regions. The organization plans to mobilise volunteers in more than 200 clubs across Africa and Asia by 2025.

Professional voices weigh in

The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), headquartered in Melbourne, echoed WHO’s message in its October feature. "One in eight people lives with a mental health condition, yet many still face discrimination and exclusion," the statement read.

Richie Perera, executive contributor at Brainz Magazine, warned that "one in four people will experience a mental health issue in any given year," underscoring that the burden isn’t confined to a niche group.

Indian publication The Economic Times quoted psychiatrist Dr. Arora, who argued that society must stop equating mental health solely with illness. "We need to view it like physical health – a fundamental right that deserves priority," he said.

What’s next for global mental‑health policy?

WHO’s roadmap through 2024 focuses on three pillars: scaling up community‑based services, integrating mental health into primary care, and strengthening legal frameworks that protect patients’ rights.

Funding commitments from donor governments total $500 million for low‑resource settings, targeting countries where treatment gaps exceed 80 %. The organization also aims to train 1 million new primary‑care workers in evidence‑based psychosocial interventions by 2026.

Meanwhile, the hashtag #WorldMentalHealthDay trended in over 120 countries, sparking conversations from university dorms to corporate boardrooms. The buzz shows that, as Dr. Ghebreyesus put it, "protecting mental health is not a luxury – it’s a basic human right."

Key facts at a glance

Date: 10 October 2023.
Theme: "Our minds, our rights."
Primary speaker: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Core message: mental health = universal human right.
Global goal: halve the treatment gap by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the WHO campaign affect people living in low‑income countries?

The WHO has earmarked half a billion dollars to build community‑based clinics in sub‑Saharan Africa and South‑Asia. By training local health workers, the plan hopes to cut the current 75 % treatment gap, giving millions their first access to affordable counselling and medication.

What evidence links mental health to economic productivity?

A 2022 WHO‑World Bank joint report estimated that untreated depression and anxiety shave off about $1 trillion in global GDP each year. Employers lose roughly 4 % of annual wages to absenteeism and reduced performance, making mental‑health investment a fiscal imperative.

Why is mental health considered a human right?

Human‑rights frameworks, like the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, state that everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of health – physical or mental. Denying care or stigmatizing sufferers infringes on freedoms of expression, work, and even life.

What role does Rotary International play in the mental‑health movement?

Rotary leverages its worldwide network of clubs to fund local mental‑health projects, from school‑based counseling in Kenya to tele‑therapy hubs in rural India. President R. Gordon R. McInally pledged a new $10 million grant pool to jump‑start these efforts.

How can individuals contribute on World Mental Health Day?

People can share the #WorldMentalHealthDay hashtag, volunteer with local NGOs, or simply start a conversation about mental well‑being with friends and family. Small actions help break stigma and signal that mental health matters.