Montserrat will once again join the international community in the annual observance of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2026, as the centerpiece of a full week of activities running from October 5 to October 10.
World Mental Health Day is the annual global mental health awareness campaign organized by the World Federation for Mental Health and commemorated in over 100 countries.
This year, the World Federation for Mental Health has selected the theme ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.’ The theme calls on countries and communities to center the voices of people with lived experience of mental health conditions in how mental health is understood, discussed, and addressed, and to ensure that what is heard translates into real, meaningful change in policy, care, and community support.
Here in Montserrat, despite the availability of free mental health care, stigma and discrimination continue to limit access to services for individuals living with mental health challenges. In alignment with this year’s theme, the Community Mental Health Team, under the Ministry of Health and Social Services, will host a week of activities designed to give real voices real platforms to be heard. The activities will include, testimonies from persons with lived experience, a youth art and poster competition, and the launch of the Montserrat Green Ribbon Pledge, which invites residents across the island to publicly commit to supporting mental wellbeing and challenging stigma.
The Calendar of Activities include:
- A radio interview (Talking Health Programme), which aired on Wednesday 30th September 2026
- Monday, October 5, 2026 — Official Opening: Mental Health Is Everyone’s Business, with messages from the Ministry of Health and Her Excellency the Governor.
- Mental health quizzes Monday to Friday for both Adults and Children to participate.
- Kindness Buddy Campaign, which will run for the entire week, encouraging persons to do something kind for themselves or someone this week.
- “How I See It” Art, Poster and spoken word competition. This competition will raise awareness of key mental health and wellbeing issues affecting children and young people by giving them a creative outlet to express their experiences, feelings, and coping strategies
- Social media campaign promoting mental wellness through lived experiences.
- Daily short radio messages.
- Friday, October 9, 2026 – Everyone is encouraged to wear something green in support of Montserrat’s green ribbon pledge.
- Saturday, October 10, 2026 (World Mental Health Day)
The General Public and members of the media are invited to participate in all activities as Montserrat joins the global call to ensure real voices are heard, and real change follows.