What does mental health inclusivity mean?

10 October is recognised as World Mental Health Day. With a new topic chosen each year, this day centres around various aspects of mental health, including signposts to different support channels for those who need them. With a growing presence, this awareness day can encourage people to have more open conversations around their psychological wellbeing.

This year’s theme is ‘mental health for all’. 2020 has brought with it numerous uncertainties and unexpected challenges. For this reason, among others, the chosen theme around inclusivity is possibly the most important one yet.

Across the world, we’ve adapted to significant changes in our daily lives – from the way we work to how we socialise or even do our grocery shopping – these have inevitably had a substantial impact on our psychological wellbeing. Arguably, looking after our minds has never been more critical than it is right now.

How can we achieve ‘mental health for all’?

Achieving ‘mental health for all’ ultimately means being inclusive. We need to work collectively to build a future whereby everyone is equally included in the conversation around mental health and has access to the appropriate support.

At its core, inclusivity means that everyone’s views, needs, values and interests are heard. Being inclusive means listening to everyone’s experiences and providing tailored responses instead of a blanket approach. To ensure we’re working towards better mental health for everyone, we need to hear everyone’s voices. And that applies to somewhat trivial things such as a person’s hobbies, to the more serious aspects of life, namely their mental health.

Mental health is a human right, and as such, we all deserve access to support when we need it. With an inclusive approach and the recognition that different people will require different support, we can unite to effect real change.

“Inclusivity is everyone’s right. We need to embrace people of all needs and backgrounds as it affects all aspects of human life. We should be valued for our differences and encouraged to be heard and respected for them. Everyone deserves their voice to be platformed.”

– Amy, Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner