WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY - 2025

When uncertainty takes hold, we feel it — in our bodies, in our relationships, and in how we see ourselves and each other.

We’re living through a time of growing unrest. War and conflict shake our sense of safety. Financial worries creep into daily life. The climate crisis weighs heavier with each passing year. And rapid shifts in technology are changing the very fabric of society.

• The brain can go into overdrive — constantly searching for solutions. But without a clear way forward, it can lead to ongoing stress.
• Decision-making becomes harder.
  Sometimes doing nothing feels safer than risking the wrong choice.
• You may start to withdraw.
  Many people keep things to themselves — but isolation often makes things worse.
• You may become more defensive or irritable.
  Stress distorts how we see the world. We might reject help we actually need or react to threats that aren’t really there.
• The sense of community around you can weaken.
  In times of unrest, mistrust and division tend to grow. When we feel threatened, we look for someone to blame instead of looking for solutions.
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Over time, prolonged uncertainty can leave us more anxious, stressed, vulnerable, and less able to trust others. It clouds our judgment and increases the risk of mental health problems.

When people don’t feel safe, they often turn to simple answers — and clear-cut enemies.

When life changes, when uncertainty grows, or when the unexpected hits — how do we stay steady?

Mental resilience is about our ability to cope with what we can’t control.
It’s about knowing our own limits and our strengths. And it’s about what we build around us: safety, connection, and the systems that help us get through hard times.

That’s why we need:

• Workplaces, schools, and communities that take real steps to include, build trust, and create a sense of belonging
• Knowledge about what helps when things get tough
• A culture that can handle discomfort and difference — and sees mental challenges as a natural part of life
• Strong social structures that protect us when crisis hits

We can handle more when we understand what we’re facing, know our own boundaries — and have support when we need it.

We’re more resilient when our surroundings give us something to lean on.