On World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2026, the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS) joins the global community in recognising the importance of listening to, learning from, and meaningfully engaging people with lived experience of mental health conditions.
Under this year’s theme, “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change,” World Mental Health Day highlights the importance of ensuring that people with lived experience are not only heard but actively involved in shaping the research, policies, services and decisions that affect their lives.
Across the world, people experiencing mental health difficulties continue to face stigma, discrimination, exclusion and barriers to care. Their experiences provide essential insights into the realities of seeking support, navigating health systems and pursuing recovery across diverse social and cultural contexts.
Psychology’s Global Voice in the Service of Humanity
As Psychology’s Global Voice, IUPsyS advances psychological science and practice in the service of all humanity. Through its international membership and partnerships, the Union promotes scientific collaboration, strengthens psychological capacity and supports psychology’s contribution to global health and wellbeing. This year’s theme invites the global psychological community to reflect on how lived experience informs psychological research, professional education, clinical practice and public policy. Meaningful engagement with people with lived experience can strengthen scientific understanding, support culturally responsive approaches to care and ensure that mental health services better reflect the needs of the communities they serve.
Psychological science has an important responsibility to advance this engagement through rigorous research, ethical practice and collaboration. Meaningful participation must extend beyond consultation to genuine opportunities for people with lived experience to influence priorities, contribute to decisions and shape the services and policies that affect them.
On World Mental Health Day 2026, IUPsyS reaffirms its commitment to advancing psychological science in the service of all humanity and supporting approaches to mental health that uphold dignity, inclusion and human rights.
The call for “Real Voices, Real Change” reminds us that listening must lead to meaningful action. By bringing together scientific evidence, professional expertise, and lived experience, psychology can help build more inclusive, equitable, and responsive mental health systems.
Further Information and Resources
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