World Mental Health Day

The World Health Organization declared October 10 as World Mental Health Day. It is celebrated every year, and its goal is to raise awareness of mental health problems around the world, as well as to encourage investment in prevention and support for mental health.

The very definition of health given by Andrija Štampar in 1926 speaks of the importance of mental health: "Health is a state of complete physical, psychological and social well-being, not just the absence of disease."

The 2024 global campaign is based on this year's official World Mental Health Day theme - "It's time to prioritize mental health in the workplace".

This theme emphasizes the importance of mental health in professional settings, in accordance with the basic principles of the WFMH (World Federation for Mental Health) founded in 1948.  The campaign is dedicated to advocating mental health in the workplace. The goal of the campaign is global participation in public advocacy of employees, employers, organizations and stakeholders in promoting mental well-being at work. Our common goal is to highlight the essential importance and role of mental health in work environments, advocating for workplaces where mental health is promoted, prioritized and protected.

From a personal point of view, I am not competent to give my opinion and experience on this year's topic because I am a student who is just on his way to work. But at the level of my own experience and what I witness every day, I can say that people who do what they love and those who do it without a dose of any kind of pressure are much more successful, approachable and energetic than those exposed to mental pressures, whether they come from physical, psychological or social causes. I came to this conclusion based on my view of people with whom I have daily or occasional interactions. Curiosity makes me observe the world on a deeper level, and I often make such an impression on people that they often tell me about their problems and experiences. I am lucky, so as a scholarship recipient of the Bosana Foundation, I communicate with people who are positive, successful and I have absolutely no pressure from them. Also, in a way, I have a role model in the person who is at the head of our organization. On the other hand, I can find a role model in the woman who heads the "Snaga žene" association where I volunteer. If I could choose my future work environment, I would choose those who currently surround me and in whom I see role models. A working environment with such a collective would not only give me mental strength and security, but this positive and strong energy would surely influence my professional development. On the other hand, I forgive those susceptible to pressure that I occasionally meet at the university, they are only exposed to a lot of mental pressure in their work environments.

I would be grateful to life if it gave me a working environment aware of the importance of mental health and well-being of all employees.