10/10/2026
SCITECH | Towards Inclusivity, With Inclusivity
Shared effort is a force that has driven change since time immemorial. Following the first celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 1992, the Philippine National Mental Health Week, initially celebrated in January, was moved to every second week of October by Proclamation No. 452.
We celebrate this year’s World Mental Health Day with the theme “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” recognizing the expert value of people with lived experiences (PWLE) in shaping policies and furthering mental health advocacy. After all, shared effort, when informed, is more likely to materialize positive change than collaboration without direction.
Despite a global increase in mental health awareness, negative stigma continues to cloud around those with mental health conditions. They remain perceived as violent or lazy, and these stereotypes are reinforced by inaccurate portrayals in media and even unfair usage of mental health conditions as a blatant excuse to escape accountability.
Providing PWLE with avenues to share their stories and influence decisions can go a long way both in correcting misconceptions and creating person-centered policies they may actually benefit from. This World Mental Health Day, we’re enjoined to build more inclusive communities for and with PWLE.
Written by Alessia Abrenica
Layout by Jasha Mutia