Every October, World Mental Health Day arrives with plenty related social media posts, corporate statements, and well-intentioned campaigns. As a therapist, I find myself in an interesting position each year: genuinely valuing what this day represents whilst also recognising its limitations. This post explores both the positive impact of World Mental Health Day and the critical gaps that remain, alongside what we can actually do to improve mental health beyond a single day in October.

The Genuine Progress We Have Made

It would be unfair to dismiss the real change that increased mental health awareness has brought about. When I speak with male clients in particular, many tell me that seeing mental health discussed more openly (whether through campaigns, public figures sharing their experiences, or workplace initiatives) has made seeking therapy feel less foreign. One client recently told me he had been considering therapy for three years but it was a World Mental Health Day post from a colleague that finally prompted him to search for “therapy for men near me” and book an initial consultation.

The day has also contributed to meaningful policy shifts. More workplaces now have mental health first aiders, and there is greater understanding that mental health is not separate from physical health. For adolescents in residential care (a group that I work with regularly) there is now more recognition of the trauma and attachment difficulties they carry, rather than simply labelling behaviour as “difficult” or “challenging” without understanding its roots.

These shifts matter. They represent cultural change that has taken decades to achieve, and I do not take that lightly.

Where Awareness Falls Short

However, awareness alone is insufficient, and this is where my professional experience leads me to a more critical perspective.

Firstly, we risk what I call “awareness fatigue”, which is the sense that we have talked about mental health so much that people assume the problem is solved. I see this particularly with funding decisions and service provision. There is an assumption that because we are now “aware” of mental health, the work is done. But awareness does not reduce waiting lists. It does not make therapy affordable for people on low incomes. It does not address the fact that many men still feel uncomfortable accessing support, despite knowing they “should” talk about their feelings.

Secondly, there is a performative element to some World Mental Health Day content that troubles me. Organisations post infographics about “checking in on your strong friend” whilst simultaneously creating work environments that contribute to burnout and stress. I have worked with clients who describe their employers posting mental health resources on World Mental Health Day, yet refusing reasonable adjustments for anxiety or depression throughout the rest of the year. This disconnect between public messaging and actual support is not just unhelpful, it is actively harmful because it erodes trust.

Thirdly, one-day campaigns can inadvertently suggest that mental health is something we consider occasionally rather than continuously. Mental health is not a single-day concern. It is woven into how we structure our workplaces, how we fund public services, how we support young people in care systems, and how we talk to one another daily. Concentrating our attention into 24 hours can create the illusion of action without sustained commitment.

The Issues That Persist and Worsen

Despite increased awareness, the statistics remain stark. Rates of anxiety and depression have continued to rise, particularly since the pandemic. For the men I work with, there is still a significant gap between recognising they need support and actually seeking it. Cultural expectations around masculinity, self-reliance, and emotional stoicism remain powerful barriers, even when men are intellectually aware that therapy could help.

For adolescents in residential care, the challenges are even more pronounced. These young people often carry complex trauma, attachment difficulties, and disrupted educational experiences. They need consistent, specialised therapeutic support, yet many care homes struggle to access appropriate mental health services. I supervise therapists working in these settings, and the systemic barriers they face are immense: high staff turnover, funding constraints, and waiting lists that mean a young person in crisis cannot access help when they need it most.

We are also seeing increasing financial barriers to accessing therapy. NHS waiting lists in many areas stretch to months or even years. Private therapy, whilst more immediately accessible, remains prohibitively expensive for many people. This creates a two-tier system where those with resources can access timely support, whilst others wait or go without.

What I Offer and How To Move Forward

In my practice, I work use an integrative approach that draws on CBT, DBT, solution-focused therapy, and relationship-based work. I have found that men often respond well to structured, practical approaches that focus on problem-solving and skill-building, whilst also creating space to explore underlying emotional patterns. For younger clients, building a secure therapeutic relationship is foundational before any other work can happen.

If have been considering therapy but felt unsure where to start, I encourage you to take that step. Seeking support is not a failure, it is a practical decision to improve your mental health and quality of life.

Beyond individual therapy, I also supervise other therapists, which allows me to support wider systems of care. Improving mental health is not solely about individual treatment, it is about building networks of informed, skilled practitioners who can respond to complex needs.

Practical steps you can take today include: reaching out to someone you are concerned about (not with a generic “are you okay?” but with genuine interest in their life); researching therapy options in your area; or booking an initial consultation to explore whether therapy might be helpful. For organisations, consider what mental health support looks like beyond World Mental Health Day – are you creating environments where people can actually access help, or simply posting about it?

Moving Beyond Awareness

World Mental Health Day serves a purpose. It opens conversations and reduces stigma. But we must move beyond awareness to action – action that includes accessible services, sustained funding, cultural change, and genuine commitment to supporting mental health every day of the year.

If you would like to discuss therapy or have questions about how I work, I welcome you to get in touch.