World Mental Health Day 2025: Access to Crisis Services

World Mental Health Day, observed every year on October 10, will focus its attention in 2025 on the critically important theme "Access to Services: Mental Health in Disasters and Emergencies", reports the National Center for Public Health and Analyses, citing the decision of the World Federation for Mental Health. This decision underscores the growing need to provide psychiatric care and support for people affected by disasters and other crisis situations.

Catastrophic disasters and emergency situations, which pose complex global challenges, affect individuals, families, and entire communities. These events not only cause physical suffering, but also have a profound impact on the emotional well-being of those affected. People who have experienced such events often suffer from psychological distress, which in most cases improves over time. However, there is a significant risk of developing mental disorders in some people.

Statistics show that one in five people (22%) who have experienced war or conflict in the past 10 years are at risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. These data underscore the critical role of mental health services during crises. It is important to note that emergencies often disrupt the operation of health services, including those that provide psychiatric care, and reduce access to quality care.

People with severe mental illnesses are particularly vulnerable during crises. They need immediate access to psychiatric care and other essential needs.

The World Federation for Mental Health calls for year-round efforts to raise awareness and preparation regarding the need for psychiatric services during emergencies and disasters. The goal is to enable people to cope with challenges and prevent long-term mental health problems.

In addition, the organization emphasizes the need to protect the rights of people with severe mental disorders, especially those who have experienced natural or man-made crises, and to promote the implementation of strategies to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with seeking psychiatric care. It is also important to support policies and funding that ensure the provision of psychiatric interventions and social support in all emergency situations and preparedness plans.

To address these challenges, the World Federation for Mental Health calls for the creation of networks between mental health professionals, health and social workers, service personnel, school staff, and community groups. This coordination will improve preparedness for emergencies and maintain continuity of care for people who have experienced traumatic events.

The publication emphasizes that support for people's mental well-being during humanitarian crises is not just important – it saves lives and enables people to recover, rebuild themselves and their communities.

The global campaign for 2025 calls on governments, non-governmental organizations, and health systems to redouble their efforts to create a world in which mental health is valued, protected, and accessible to all, especially in difficult times.

The history of World Mental Health Day dates back to 1992, when the World Federation for Mental Health declared it an annual event. The overall goal is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts for support, care, and treatment to improve mental well-being.

On this day, mental health professionals – psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists – have the opportunity to express their views on the problems in this area. The aim is to emphasize the need for everyone to have access to psychiatric care, as well as to draw attention to the fight against stigma associated with mental illness, both in a given society and on a global scale.

The modern dynamic way of life, accompanied by high levels of stress, is one of the main causes of the emergence of mental disorders. Socio-economic aspects, genetic predisposition, and cultural factors also play a role.

The first signs and symptoms that may indicate an impending problem include insomnia, fatigue (mental and physical), lack of empathy, irritability, feelings of anxiety, and an incomplete social life. In these cases, a person should seek help from a specialist.

In Bulgaria, according to the National Statistical Institute, a total of 657 psychiatrists were registered at the end of last year.

One of the main problems facing state psychiatric hospitals is low pay, which leads to a severe staffing crisis. Dr. Tsvetelava Galabova, director of the State Psychiatric Hospital "St. Ivan Rilski", points to this problem as key.

"We are many times fewer in number, according to European standards," notes Dr. Galabova. She emphasizes that one member of staff in a psychiatric hospital cares for 10-15 patients, while in Europe the ratio is 1:2 or 1:3.

To maintain good mental health, a stable family environment, communication with other people, participation in sports or art, and a balance between work and family are key, shares child psychiatrist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Petranka Chumpalova, head of the Department "Psychiatry and Medical Psychology" at the Medical University in Pleven. She spoke during a press conference at the National Press Club of BTA in Pleven, dedicated to World Mental Health Day.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chumpalova points out that there are few child psychiatrists in the country – about 12-15. Only two clinics in the country offer 24-hour inpatient care for children – in Sofia and Varna. The lack of specialists and prevention is also noted, as parents often do not acknowledge the problems.