Awareness dates 10 October
World Mental Health Day
What the World Federation for Mental Health says the day is for, what it asks of organisations, and the talks Andrew Pain gives for it.
The day, in its organiser's words
The theme of World Mental Health Day 2026 has been decided as "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change".
What it asks of organisations
The World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) hopes that organizations around the world will organize events reflecting this theme while also supporting the World Health Organization's initiative on deinstitutionalization.
Talks for World Mental Health Day
- Honestly, Man Why masculinity feels confusing, shame doesn't help and what to do about it See the talk .
- Mastering Time in the Age of AI 4 Pillars to Protect What Matters Most See the talk .
- Crack the Cliques Workplace Belonging in Just 3 Steps See the talk .
- Burnout-Proof Collective and Individual Habits That Actually Work See the talk .
Planning further ahead
The other awareness days with a page of their own: Mental Health Awareness Week and International Men's Day. Every date is on the awareness dates page. Booking a speaker on mental health for the first time? Read the questions to ask any speaker.
Formats & logistics
Shaped to fit your event.
Andrew tailors every talk to your audience, theme and time slot. Here's how the practical side usually works – tell him the room and he'll shape the rest.
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Talk length
Keynotes usually run 45 minutes to an hour, sometimes 90. Around two hours it becomes a workshop; longer than that is rare.
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Audience size
From an intimate group of 8–12 to a main-stage audience of 200–250. Interactive workshops usually sit around 40–70.
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AV & tech
Andrew works with whatever setup you have. And if the tech fails, the show still goes on – he'll present without slides.
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In-person or virtual
Delivered on-site or online, on the platform you already use – most often Teams or Zoom.
If you're struggling, support is here
Andrew speaks and coaches from lived and professional experience. He is not a clinician, and his talks, podcast and writing are not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice. If you're struggling, please reach out.
Let's talk dates
Bring this conversation to your stage.
Tell Andrew about your audience and event – he'll come back with the right talk, format and a clear plan.