World Mental Health Day 2024: It is Time to Prioritise Mental Health in the Workplace

The World Health Organisation recognizes World Mental Health Day every year on October 10th. For 2024, the theme, chosen by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace”. This year’s theme highlights the importance of fostering environments where mental health is prioritised, reflecting the pressing need for action and opportunity worldwide.

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety significantly impact workplaces globally, affecting productivity, attendance, and performance. According to the World Health Organisation, untreated mental health issues cost the global economy an estimated US$1 trillion annually.

World Mental Health Day 2024 will explore the various aspects of mental health in the workplace, from stress management to social inclusion. This year, we encourage everyone to advocate for mental health awareness and practices that promote well-being in professional environments. This theme also resonates deeply with those affected by bladder cancer, where the burden of mental health challenges is often overlooked.

Around the world, over 610,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer making it the 9^th most commonly diagnosed cancer. Studies have shown that mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, often coexist with a diagnosis of bladder cancer with a worse prognosis associated with greater psychological burden. For these reasons, we call upon communities to provide greater support, raise awareness, and advocate for better mental health care for those affected by bladder cancer.

We invite you to use this opportunity to support mental health at work and ensure that both employees and bladder cancer patients receive the care and understanding they need.

We invite you to explore our Start-up guide – a valuable resource for anyone with ambitions to start a bladder cancer patient group in their country.

To learn more, visit our Bladder Cancer information pages, and explore the ways you can help advocate for change in the workplace.

Join us in making mental health a priority at work and beyond!