World Mental Health Day 2026: Launching Our New Factsheet on Mental Health and Emotional Well-being

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we are launching our new factsheet, Mental Health and Emotional Well-being. Written for patients, survivors and carers, it recognises that bladder cancer affects the mind as well as the body, and offers practical support for both.

This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health and promoted by the World Health Organization, is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. It calls for the experiences of people affected by a condition to shape the care they receive. For the 614,298 people diagnosed with bladder cancer worldwide each year, that means emotional well-being must be a recognised part of care, not an afterthought.

The factsheet explains why fear, sadness and anxiety are common and understandable reactions, including scanxiety, the tension that builds while waiting for tests and results. It sets out practical ways to cope, from gentle movement and breathing exercises to keeping a simple routine and joining a support group. It also includes questions to ask your healthcare team and guidance on where to find counselling, cancer support services and peer support.

We call on healthcare systems and policymakers to make psychological support a standard part of bladder cancer care, from diagnosis through long-term follow-up.

Download the Mental Health and Emotional Well-being factsheet and share it with anyone who may need it. To find support in your country, visit our Bladder Cancer information pages or contact us at patients@worldbladdercancer.org. Join the conversation using #WorldMentalHealthDay