October 10 is World Mental Health Day.  It has been over 18 years since I started my journey to tackle mental health stigma around the world, my journey just featured in Psychology Today. In many ways, it seems like we have come so far, with leaders around the world activating the message that mental health is a global priority. Yet in other ways, statistics like those presented by the World Health Organization and the CDC, which report that the problem is getting worse, show us just how far we still have to go.

Yet there is hope. The World Federation for Mental Health, established in 1948, is activating the theme of “Making Mental Health & Well-being For All a Global Priority” through numerous activities that are outlined on the World Mental Health Day Website. They have online and in-person events around the world that I encourage you to attend. If you aren’t able to join an event, consider sharing what you are doing on social media using hashtags #WMHD #WorldMentalHealthDay #WMHD2022. If you tag us @ifredorg, we will share how you are activating on #WMHD.

I will be celebrating this day by activating hope through our projects:

• Hopeful Minds for Teens: At iFred.org, we have started to work on a teen program that is developed by teens for teens, and is centered on sharing what hopelessness is and the ways that teens can activate hope. It is based on our Hopeful Minds program, and we aim to make it free and available globally just as we do Hopeful Minds.
• The Biggest Little Book About Hope: My book is now available globally (get your copy today). It shares the impact of hopelessness, the importance of hope, and my own journey from hopelessness to hope.
• Hopeful Cities: We continue to activate the Hopeful Cities Movement, and recently created the International Day of Hope website to further activate the world on the “how-to” of hope. 
• New Course: Hopeful Mindsets Overview: Through my consulting company, I created a 75-minute course, the Hopeful Mindset Overview, which is now available online for only $25. For each course sold, we donate $5 to the non-profit to help keep the work through the nonprofit free to young kids. You can sign up here today.