World Mental Health Day 2025
‘Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies’.
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It’s a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.
This year's theme, “access to services - mental health in catastrophes and emergencies, highlights the importance of being able to protect their mental health in times of instability.”
The need for timely and robust support in the face of catastrophes and emergencies has been acutely highlighted in the terrible attack which took place last week, and in the tensions we are seeing in our communities.
We also recognise that this support is needed in the quieter, more personal crises which individuals can struggle with as part of the ‘everyday’.
Now, and always, we are committed to supporting everyone we work for and with, who may be distressed, concerned and in need of support.
This World Mental Health Day, we are sharing a range of information that our communities can access to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Advice from the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub
Lots of advice is available from the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub to help you look after yourself and your family following a traumatic event: Greater Manchester Resilience Hub - Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.
Support through GMMH
NHS 111 Mental Health
If you need urgent mental health support, for example if you feel mentally unsafe or severely distressed, you can quickly and easily access support by calling NHS 111 and selecting mental health option 2.
It’s available 24/7, free of charge and you can call for yourself or someone else.
Read more here: Urgent mental health support | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT.
Community Crisis Drop-ins
Community spaces across Greater Manchester, often known as ‘Crisis Cafés’ or ‘Listening Lounges’ offer a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment for anyone over the age of 18, who is feeling low, anxious, struggling with negative thoughts, or just wants to talk to someone during evenings or weekends.
Some are run by GMMH and others by VCSE organisations. See the full Greater Manchester list here: Mental health – community crisis drop in services.
Recovery Academy
Whether you're seeking support for yourself or others, the Recovery Academy’s new term, launched on 01 October in timing with World Mental Health Day, offers a wealth of opportunities for recovery, to stay well and grow.
While the Academy is not a crisis service, it offers a range of courses designed to build resilience and understanding. Among them are: ‘Understanding and Responding to Crises’ and ‘The True Face of Trauma: Understanding and Supporting Adversity and Trauma.’
The Academy is committed to making its resources widely accessible to service users, carers, peer mentors, volunteers, the GMMH team and staff from other organisations. There are over 65 face-to-face courses, and a range of digital information and resources.
For more information about the new prospectus, including three brand-new courses on offer, visit: Recovery Academy launches autumn / winter term with focus on mental health access.
Talking Therapies
GMMH’s Talking Therapies services offer evidenced-based psychological interventions to support people experiencing common mental health problems including anxiety, depression and stress. They are available to anyone over the age of 16 who lives in Bolton, Salford, Manchester, Trafford and Wigan.
To find out more about the Talking Therapies services run by GMMH, including how you can refer yourself, visit: Talking Therapies | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT.
If you live outside of GMMH’s areas, you can find your local Talking Therapies service, and refer yourself, via this link: Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression - NHS.
Resources and information
We have collated a hub of helpful information, support and resources on our website. This covers a wide variety of topics and needs, and includes:
- Health and wellbeing
- Self-help resources
- Suicide prevention
- Mental health wellbeing guides
You can access all of this and more here: Helpful information | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT.
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation has pulled together a variety of information and resources to help us manage our mental health, and support others with theirs.
Visit their website to access a range of resources including: advice on managing feelings of overwhelm, tips on managing your news consumption and the impact of doomscrolling, ‘Tea & Talk packs’, and much more.
World Mental Health Day 2025 | Mental Health Foundation
Join the conversation
Join us in raising awareness about mental health on social media by following our accounts, resharing our posts, and tagging us in your own posts to let us know how you’re marking this important day.
Facebook: @GMMentalHealth
LinkedIn: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
X (formally Twitter): @GMMH_NHS
Instagram: @GMMH_NHS
