Welcome to our look at UK and international days that celebrate or encourage mental health, well-being and positivity.

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Veganuary – month of January

Veganuary encourages and supports people and businesses alike to switch to a plant-based diet in the month of January as a way of protecting the environment, preventing animal suffering, and improving the health of millions of people. Since the campaign was launched by Veganuary – which is actually a charitable organisation as well as the name of the initiative – in 2014, the number of people taking on the challenge has continued to rise year on year.

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week – last week of January

Health awareness that impacts mental well-being of those affected. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week raises awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of screening, while also providing resources for the mental and emotional support needed when dealing with health concerns.

Time to Talk Day – 6th February

Time to Talk Day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health, by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. Conversations about mental health have the power to change lives – and we can all take part!

Children’s Mental Health Week – 7th to 13th February

1 in 6 children and young people have a diagnosable mental health problem, and many more struggle with challenges. Children’s Mental Health Week aims to draw attention to the children struggling with their mental health and raise awareness of the benefits of getting children support as early as possible.

Random Acts of Kindness Day – 17th February

Promotes mental well-being through giving and connection. This day encourages people to perform kind gestures for others without expecting anything in return. Research shows that acts of kindness boost happiness and well-being both for the giver and receiver, creating a positive impact on mental health.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week – 21st to 27th February

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is an opportunity to talk about the connection between bullying and eating disorders, and to fight the myths surrounding eating disorders.

Self Injury Awareness Day – 1st March

Self Injury Awareness Day aims to educate people globally on self-harm and the detrimental effect it can have on someone’s life. Raising awareness of self-harm is extremely important as there can be a lot of secrecy around it and it can lead to even worse habits.

International Women’s Day – 8th March

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women, who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.

International Day of Happiness – 20th March

The International Day of Happiness is a yearly event celebrated internationally every March 20 to recognise the importance of happiness in our lives. This day is as a way to recognise the importance of happiness in the lives of people around the world.

World Bipolar Day – 30th March

World Bipolar Day is about facilitating discussions about bipolar disorder and spreading the word about community resources for bipolar disorder help and support.

Stress Awareness Month – month of April

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April since 1992. It aims to raise awareness about how to cope with stress and anxiety.

Autism Acceptance Month – month of April

Focuses on understanding neurodiversity and supporting mental health in the autism community. This month promotes acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of autism, while highlighting the need for appropriate mental health services and support for autistic individuals.

World Health Day – 7th April

World Health Day is a global health awareness celebrated on 7 April every year, and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

International Day of Pink – second Wednesday in April

Anti-bullying awareness that connects to mental health. The International Day of Pink is a day where communities around the world wear pink to stand against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, and transmisogyny. Creating safe and inclusive environments improves mental health outcomes for everyone, especially those in marginalized communities.

UK Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week – 3rd to 8th May

UK Maternal Mental Health Matters Awareness Week is a week long campaign dedicated to talking about mental illness while pregnant or after having a baby.

Mental Health Awareness Week – 9th to 15th May

Conceived by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week is a national week to raise awareness of mental health problems and promote the message of good mental health for all. 

OCD Awareness Week – second week in May

Addresses a significant mental health condition. OCD Awareness Week aims to educate the public about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, reduce stigma, and encourage those affected to seek help. It highlights the reality of living with OCD and promotes understanding of this often misunderstood mental health condition.

Dementia Action Week – third week in May

Highlights the mental health needs of those with dementia and their carers. This week encourages people to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia, focusing on the importance of supporting both the cognitive and emotional well-being of those with dementia and addressing the mental health of caregivers.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – 15th June

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – or WEAAD – is held on 15th June every year, across the world. It is the globally recognised day to highlight the abuse and neglect of older people, helping us to act against it. The colour associated with the day is purple.

International Fathers’ Mental Health Day – 21st June

International Fathers’ Mental Health Day (IFMHD) is an annual global event first launched in 2016 which gives a voice to issues unique to men as they transition to fatherhood—their strengths, difficulties, and needs. 1 in 10 expecting or new dads experience perinatal anxiety or depression and 56% do not seek support.

Samaritans Awareness Day/Talk To Us – 24th July

Focuses on suicide prevention and emotional support. This awareness day highlights the importance of talking about mental health struggles and encourages people to reach out for support when needed. The Samaritans organization promotes listening without judgment as a way to reduce suicide risk and improve mental well-being.

Disability Independence Day – 26th July

Disability Independence Day is more than just an annual day, but a movement used to break down barriers to inclusion and advocate for the rights of people with disability.

International Day of Friendship – 30th July

International Day of Friendship is a day to appreciate and promote friendships of all backgrounds. The day aims to bridge the gaps between factors such as race, language and culture. The day promotes the idea that fostering friendships between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace and build bridges between those communities.  

World Humanitarian Day – 19th August

World Humanitarian Day is dedicated to recognising humanitarian people and those who lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. The day also pays tribute to those who have sacrificed their time and risked their lives in order to support and deliver aid to people worldwide undergoing many humanitarian crises. It especially focuses on those who put their lives at risk trying to help people in war-stricken and disease-ridden areas.

Cycle to Work Day – varies, usually in August

Promotes physical activity for mental well-being. This day encourages people to cycle to work, highlighting how regular physical activity can significantly improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. The initiative also promotes sustainable commuting, which benefits both personal health and the environment.

World Suicide Prevention Day – 10th September

World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.

International Equal Pay Day – 18th September

Equal Pay Day is the symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap. It represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. 

International Day of Peace – 21st September

Established in 1981, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

World Alzheimer’s Day – 21st September

Raises awareness of dementia, which has profound mental health implications. This day highlights the challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers. It advocates for better support services, research, and understanding of the connection between cognitive health and overall mental well-being.

National Fitness Day – late September

Highlights the connection between physical and mental health. This day celebrates the role that physical activity plays in helping people lead healthier and more active lifestyles. It emphasizes that regular exercise is not just important for physical health but is also a vital component in managing stress, anxiety, depression, and overall mental well-being.

Black History Month UK – month of October

Black History Month in the UK is an event that has been celebrated nationwide for more than 30 years. The month was originally founded to recognise the contributions that people of African and Caribbean backgrounds have made to the UK over many generations. Now, Black History Month has expanded to include the history of not just African and Caribbean people but black people in general.

ADHD Awareness Month – month of October

Focuses on understanding and supporting neurodiversity. This month aims to raise awareness about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), reduce stigma, and provide information about support and treatment options. It highlights the diverse experiences of people with ADHD and advocates for greater understanding of neurodiversity in education, workplaces, and healthcare.

World Mental Health Day – 10th October

The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world. The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

World Menopause Day – 18th October

Highlights the mental health aspects of menopause. This day raises awareness about the impact of menopause on women’s lives, including the often overlooked psychological symptoms such as anxiety, mood changes, and depression. It advocates for better support, treatment options, and understanding of how hormonal changes can affect mental well-being.

National Stress Awareness Day – 2nd November

National Stress Awareness Day is a sponsored event by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA), which is a registered charity promoting knowledge about stress, best practices for stress management, well-being, and performance that are recognized nationally and internationally as well.

Men’s Health Awareness Month/Movember – month of November

Includes focus on men’s mental health. During this month, men are encouraged to grow mustaches to raise awareness about men’s health issues, including mental health. The campaign highlights how men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems and aims to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and prevent suicide among men.

Anti-Bullying Week – 14th to 18th November

Antibullying Week is an important annual event that can make the school and online environment safer and happier for kids, and potentially save lives. It doesn’t just help children being bullied, but also those who are acting out by bullying and the bystanders who feel at a loss and don’t know what to do.

International Day for Tolerance – 16th November

Promotes acceptance and understanding. This day affirms that tolerance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures. It recognizes that fostering tolerance and inclusion is essential for mental well-being, as discrimination and intolerance can lead to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day – 19th November

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. 

International Day of the Abolition of Slavery – 2nd December

Slavery has evolved and manifested itself in different ways throughout history. Today some traditional forms of slavery still persist in their earlier forms, while others have been transformed into new ones. The focus of this day is on eradicating contemporary forms of slavery, such as trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation, the worst forms of child labour, forced marriage, and the forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities – 3rd December

Includes mental health disabilities. This day promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, including those with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities. It advocates for inclusive policies and practices that ensure people with all types of disabilities can participate fully in society, which is essential for their mental well-being.

Human Rights Day – 10th December

Connects to the right to mental health care and support. This day celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes the right to health, including mental health. It highlights how human rights protection is fundamental to mental well-being and how violations of human rights can lead to psychological trauma and distress.