World Mental Health Day and more are coming in October.

When you think of the tenth month of the year, Halloween might be the first holiday that comes to mind. But October and raising awareness for mental health issues should be the key part of your content planning. Looking ahead to October, you’ll see the chance to create powerful blog posts, articles, and social media posts about mental and behavioral health in your community.

Sound like a lot of work? It can be. Fortunately, Dart Content Solutions is here to help you lead open conversations about mental health and well-being throughout the month. Our team can support behavioral and mental health professionals in spreading the word about the importance of making mental health care services accessible to all to strengthen our communities.

By the end of this article, you will have:

• Information on the upcoming October events and observances in the United States and around the world. The big one to note is World Mental Health Day, a World Health Organization initiative.

• An overall objective for your monthly content strategy

• Resources to help you plan and create engaging content to educate and reduce stigma (That’s us. The DART team is the resource!)

We’ll start with a broader overview of events throughout the month that raise awareness of mental health conditions and then narrow it down from there.

October Monthly Mental and Behavioral Health Observances

National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month

October is an ideal time to promote mental health screenings, particularly for depression. With the change of seasons and shorter daylight hours, depressive symptoms can worsen. Thus, it’s a key time to encourage early detection and intervention.

ADHD Awareness Month

October raises awareness about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This month, it’s time to educate the public about ADHD, dispel myths, and highlight the diagnosis and treatment.

National Bullying Prevention Month

October marks National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s time to focus on the mental health impact of bullying in schools, workplaces, and communities. The long-term effects of bullying on mental well-being can include anxiety, depression, and other severe conditions.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

During October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month draws attention to the mental health effects of domestic abuse, including trauma, anxiety, and PTSD. This observance highlights the importance of mental health care for survivors and the need for accessible support services.

Emotional Wellness Month

October is Emotional Wellness Month, an observance that encourages individuals to prioritize their emotional well-being. This observance focuses on the connection between emotional health and overall wellness, promoting activities that support mental balance and stress management.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

No. Breast Cancer is not a mental health condition. However, Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to discuss the emotional and psychological challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis. Mental health discussions center around how to cope with the diagnosis, aimed at cancer patients and their families.

Weekly Mental Wellbeing Events in October

Mental Illness Awareness Week (First Full Week of October)

Mental Health Awareness Week raises awareness about mental illness, reduces stigma, and makes fair access to care a priority. It’s an opportunity to mobilize efforts to educate the public on the reality of life with mental health conditions and getting mental health care. The efforts help reduce stigma.

National Health Education Week (Third Week of October)

National Health Education Week highlights the importance of public education in health, including mental and behavioral health. The observance focuses on ensuring individuals have the knowledge they need to make informed decisions to have good mental health and emotional well-being.

Daily Events to Raise Awareness of Mental Health Conditions

World Mental Health Day (October 10)

World Mental Health Day is a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative. It focuses on raising awareness about mental health, promoting education, and advocating to combat discrimination. This year’s World Mental Health Day theme is workplace support for those who struggle.

In recent years, WHO has also used World Mental Health Day to declare care for mental health conditions a universal human right, spotlighting the need for accessible mental health and well-being support worldwide.

National Depression Screening Day (October 5)

This day encourages individuals to take screenings for depression and other mental health conditions. It promotes the idea that mental health checkups are as important as physical ones and emphasizes the benefits of early detection and treatment.

This day also calls to advocate to expand and protect access to the most vulnerable populations in the community and eliminate workplace discrimination.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (October 14)

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day recognizes the role of palliative care in supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of terminally ill patients. It also highlights the need for support for their families and caregivers.

October Is for Creating Awareness of Mental Health Issues

This month is an important time for mental health professionals or anyone involved in a related field to talk about mental health with clients or patients. It’s also a perfect time to have conversations with colleagues in your workplace.

From World Mental Health Day to Mental Health Awareness Week, this is your chance to provide public resources for and talk about what you know best – mental wellness. Ready to create awareness? Connect with DART Content Solutions today.