of Eleni Panagiotakopoulou, Head of the Psychological Support Service of the Athens Solidarity Center of SolidarityNow

This year’s celebration of World Mental Health Day, celebrated every year on October 10, is about highlighting mental health as a fundamental human right. “Mental health is a universal human right”, is the motto for this year.

When we refer to mental health let’s keep in mind that we are not referring exclusively to psychopathology. Good mental health is not simply the absence of psychopathological, psychiatric or neurological symptoms. Good mental health is something broader and deeper, which concerns emotional and social life and characterizes the whole journey of a person’s life, from the first to the last steps.

As we remove stereotypes and prejudices around mental health, we find its great outflow in our daily life at all levels, even in that of physical health.

The targeting of this year’s celebration is very important.

Mental health concerns each and every one of us, every day and not just the day when (and if) we feel that we are really in danger.

It concerns everyone and not only the ones and not just those who have been diagnosed.

Access to mental health services is equally important to all human rights, such as health, education, employment, etc. Good mental health is not a luxury, it is not an option, it is not a solution for those who do not make it. It is our inalienable right.

*Since August 2022, the Athens Solidarity Center is financed by EEA Grants with ΣΟΛ Crowe and HumanRights360 as the fund operator.

**The Center is also supported by the Municipality of Athens.