10/10/2026
Today is World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.”
People with lived experience (PWLE) have valuable knowledge and expertise, yet too often they are asked to share their stories without being included in decisions that affect their lives.
Meaningful engagement means more than listening. It means giving PWLE opportunities to influence decisions, co-design services, strengthen peer support, challenge stigma and shape better mental health systems. A key priority is moving away from long-stay psychiatric institutions towards community-based, person-centred care, with the right funding, services and support to help people live in their communities.
This World Mental Health Day, let’s move from listening to action and build mental health systems with people with lived experience, not merely for them.
Real voices. Real change.