World Mental Health Day focuses on lived experience

World Mental Health Day is being marked today, with this year’s international theme focusing on lived experience, Yle reports.

In Finland, the observance is coordinated by Mieli ry. Its local associations are holding events around the country.

The theme calls for people who have experienced mental health disorders to be heard, included and placed at the centre of decisions that affect them. The day aims to reduce prejudice and stigma associated with mental illness.

World Mental Health Day was first observed in 1992, at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health.