World Mental Health Day 2025: Access to Services and Support in Times of Crisis

In 2025, the theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is particularly timely: “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” This theme highlights the importance of ensuring mental health support is available during times of crisis, whether those crises are large-scale events, like natural disasters or public health emergencies, or more personal experiences, such as grief, burnout, or trauma.

The Importance of Accessible Mental Health Services

Mental health is an integral part of overall wellbeing, yet millions of people around the world continue to face barriers when trying to access the support they need. Crises can exacerbate mental health conditions or create new challenges, making timely and effective care more crucial than ever.

Examples of situations where mental health support is critical include:

• Public health emergencies: Events like pandemics, outbreaks, or system-wide healthcare crises often lead to increased stress, burnout among healthcare professionals, and trauma for affected communities.
• Personal crises: Life events such as serious illness, workplace stress, bereavement, or medical trauma can significantly impact mental health.

Access to mental health services in these scenarios is not just a matter of wellbeing it can be a matter of life and death. Prompt interventions, counselling, therapy, and psychiatric support can prevent long-term psychological consequences.

Mental Health Challenges in Healthcare Settings

Healthcare experiences themselves can sometimes contribute to mental health difficulties. For instance:

• Negligence or substandard care can leave patients traumatised, anxious, or depressed.
• Delayed or misdiagnosed conditions may exacerbate stress and fear, especially when patients feel their health concerns are ignored.
• Inadequate support during hospitalisation for serious illness or injury can increase the risk of post-traumatic stress or depressive episodes.

Research has shown that individuals who feel let down by healthcare services are more likely to experience ongoing psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Access to mental health support following these experiences is essential, but many patients do not know where to turn.

How Clinical Negligence Can Affect Mental Health

Clinical negligence occurs when healthcare professionals fail to meet the expected standard of care, causing harm to the patient. The mental health impact of such experiences is often significant and long-lasting. People may experience:

• Anxiety and panic attacks about their health or future treatment
• Depression and loss of motivation
• Post-traumatic stress related to medical procedures or hospital stays
• Trust issues with healthcare providers

If negligence has contributed to a mental health condition, it is possible to make a clinical negligence claim. Compensation claims are not just about financial redress, they can also help access private support, counselling, and therapy services to aid recovery if your claim is successful.

What You Can Do if Your Mental Health Has Been Affected by Healthcare Failures

If you believe your mental health has been impacted due to medical negligence, taking the following steps can help protect your wellbeing and legal rights:

1. Seek immediate support: Contact your GP, a mental health professional, or crisis helpline if you are struggling. Early intervention can prevent conditions from worsening.
2. Document your experience: Keep detailed records of medical treatment, appointments, and correspondence. Include notes on how the experience has affected your mental health.
3. Consult a clinical negligence specialist: A solicitor experienced in medical negligence can assess whether you have grounds for a claim and guide you through the process.
4. Access therapeutic support: Even while pursuing a claim, counselling or therapy can help you manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Remember: You are not alone. Many patients experience lasting mental health challenges after a negative healthcare experience, and support is available both legally and clinically.

Raising Awareness and Reducing Stigma

World Mental Health Day is also an opportunity to challenge stigma. Seeking help for mental health issues, whether caused by personal trauma, medical negligence, or emergencies is a sign of strength, not weakness. Open discussions and awareness campaigns can make it easier for individuals to access the care they need.

Act This World Mental Health Day

On October 10th, 2025, let’s commit to supporting mental health access for everyone, particularly those affected by crises and medical trauma. If you or a loved one has suffered because of healthcare negligence, it’s important to know your rights and seek professional advice.

Our team of experienced clinical negligence solicitors is here to help you explore your options and secure compensation to support your recovery, both physically and mentally. Don’t suffer in silence; help is available, and you deserve it.

Contact us today to discuss your situation confidentially. Taking that first step can make a real difference to your recovery and your future wellbeing.