October 10th is World Mental Health Day.
This day was established by the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), an international non-governmental organization. In 1992, they designated October 10th as this day with the goal of raising public awareness about mental health issues, eliminating prejudice, and spreading accurate knowledge. Since then, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also supported it, making it an official international day.
The first awareness activities took place on October 10, 1992. In the more than 30 years since, some form of initiative is now carried out in over 60 countries around the world.
I think it is worth remembering that the phrase “eliminating prejudice” was included in the purpose of its establishment from the very beginning. This day is not just for spreading knowledge, but also a day set aside to face misunderstandings and assumptions.
This year’s theme is “Connect, Anywhere, With Anyone”
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has opened a special website called “World Mental Health Day JAPAN” to coincide with this day. This year’s theme is “Connect, Anywhere, With Anyone.” The hashtag is “#LetsAskOurHearts”.
There are two calls to action written on the site.
One is directed at yourself. When you feel that your heart or mind is not its usual self, I want you to first notice that distress yourself. And then, I want you to take action, such as seeking advice or seeing a doctor.
The other is directed at those around you. When there is someone who seems to be feeling mental distress, I want you to first notice that distress. And then, I want you to try reaching out to them.
Notice, reach out, listen. These three actions are also the foundation of the “Mental Health Supporter” initiative being promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The fact that these are presented as things that can be done even if you are not a professional is the key to this initiative.
The phrase “#LetsAskOurHearts” is also well-crafted. Your heart does not tell you things on its own even if you stay silent. It requires the active motion of asking. This is the same whether it is toward yourself or toward others.
What is happening in Japan
Silver Ribbon Movement
The Silver Ribbon Movement has been responsible for activities on this day within Japan.
It originally began in 1993 in California, USA, as an initiative to seek understanding for schizophrenia. The symbol color is silver because it is said to originate from the way sunlight shining through gaps in gloomy clouds glows silver, appearing like a ray of hope.
Since then, it has spread as a movement to promote understanding of diseases and disabilities originating in the brain or mind, and mental health in general. In Japan, it began in 2002 in the Hamadori region (Naraha Town) of Fukushima Prefecture, and currently, the NPO Silver Ribbon Japan leads the activities.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Initiatives
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has been conducting outreach and awareness activities centered on this day since the first year of the Reiwa era, and this is the 8th year. The 2026 theme is “Connect, Anywhere, With Anyone.” Rilakkuma and Korilakkuma are serving as supporting ambassadors.
The main schedule for this year is as follows.
October 10 (Sat) 10:00–16:30 Tokyo Festa (at Star Rise Tower / Tokyo Tower Media Center) — The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare participates in an event hosted by Silver Ribbon Japan. Projects to experience the basic actions of a Mental Health Supporter such as “noticing,” “reaching out,” and “listening,” as well as a stamp rally visiting booths of various organizations.
October 9 (Fri) – 10 (Sat) Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit / Gyoko-dori — Participation in the “Tomo-Tomo Festa 2026” hosted by the Cabinet Office. Screening of awareness-raising videos and distribution of materials.
October 10 (Sat) 12:00–12:30 Marunouchi Building 1F Marucube — A project to experience the basic actions of a Mental Health Supporter together with Korilakkuma.
October 21 (Wed) 14:00–16:00 “Mental Health Supporter Training” for companies (Online, free, capacity 300 people / Application deadline is October 9) — Targeted at HR personnel and industrial health staff. Those who complete the course will be certified as “Mental Health Supporters.”
In addition, the “Local Government Koko-Sapo Support Campaign” is being implemented for local governments that conduct Mental Health Supporter training during this period.
Movements by other organizations
Nationwide Light-up (October 10 from sunset) — Hosted by Silver Ribbon Japan and Lundbeck Japan, monuments across the country will be lit up in the symbol colors of silver and green. From Hokkaido to Okinawa, including Tokyo Tower, Kyoto Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, Toyota Stadium, and Hakata Port Tower. Depending on the facility, it may be held for multiple days before and after.
Film “Lights in the Harbor” Nationwide Screening Project (October 4 – November 8) — Works themed on “mental care” will be screened at 8 venues nationwide. There are venue-specific projects such as talk events after the screenings.
World Mental Health Day in TSUKUBA 2026 (October 11 11:00–16:00, around Tsukuba Station) — Lectures, talk events, film screenings, and booth exhibitions.
Awareness Seminar “The Era of Change and Mental Anxiety” (October 9 19:00–21:00, online) — Hosted by Otsuka Pharmaceutical, supported by Silver Ribbon Japan. This year’s theme is youth mental health. On-demand streaming will be available from October 14 to 27.
Silver Ribbon Run & Walk 2026 (November 1 – 30) — An online sports event that you can participate in from anywhere in the country.
A characteristic of this day is that it is not the activity of a single organization, but rather that the government, NPOs, companies, and academia are each moving with different approaches. Mental health and welfare centers and public health centers in your local municipality often hold some kind of event, so if you look into it, you might be able to participate in something close to home.
What we can think about
Awareness days are prone to being hyped up once a year and then ending. The light-ups are beautiful, but the daily life from the next day does not change. I think there are people who feel that way.
That is precisely why the three actions of “noticing,” “reaching out,” and “listening” are clues for thinking. This is not a story for just one day, but a story of daily practice.
When placed in the context of nursing, for example, it becomes a question like this.
Today, was I able to hear the wishes of the person involved (the patient) exactly in their own words?
Were you able to carry the words you heard to the records or the conference?
Did you stop at saying, “The person says this, but it is realistically difficult”?
If you did stop there, did you explain to the person why it is difficult?
I myself cannot proudly say I answer all of these perfectly. In the flow of daily work, there are times when safety and scheduling convenience take precedence over the person’s wishes.
However, I believe that whether or not you have the perspective of how far you have carried the voices you heard changes what accumulates over time.
Mental health for workers, too
One more thing. This day is not just for people with psychiatric illnesses.
That is why the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s initiatives this year are aimed at corporate HR personnel and industrial health staff. Nursing professionals are no exception; in fact, they are a profession prone to poor health.
The more you work in a job that involves listening to others, the more likely you are to put your own well-being on the back burner. I think checking in on your own condition on this day is a perfectly appropriate way to spend it.
What you can do today
It doesn’t have to be anything big.
• Ask one person you are responsible for about their wishes for today
Try recording the words you heard exactly as they were, without summarizing them
Try rating your own level of fatigue and looking at it
None of these will change the world in a day, but I believe that is what “#LetsAskOurHearts” is all about. You won’t know what is in your own heart or the heart of the person in front of you unless you ask.
The dates, venues, and details of the events listed in this article were information posted on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s special website as of October 2, 2026. Implementation details and times are subject to change. If you are considering participating, please be sure to check the latest information from the organizers.
World Mental Health Day JAPAN 2026 Special Website (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
You can check initiatives in your area on the “Local Government Initiatives” page of the special website or through information from your local Mental Health and Welfare Center or public health center.
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