Every year on 10 October, the world observes World Mental Health Day, a global movement to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for better access to mental health care. First launched by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992 and later embraced by WHO and partners worldwide, the day has become a platform for solidarity and action across countries and communities. The theme for 2025, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies,” is especially timely. Around the world, armed conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics, and economic crises are placing immense strain on health systems and communities. Beyond the visible damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, such crises take a profound toll on people’s emotional and psychological wellbeing. While many experience temporary distress, nearly a quarter of affected individuals may go on to develop conditions such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder if timely support is not available.
For Sri Lanka, this theme resonates deeply. The country’s experience during the 2004 tsunami demonstrated how disasters can leave lasting mental scars, but also how they can be a turning point for strengthening mental health services. With WHO’s support, Sri Lanka invested in decentralizing care, building capacity at district level, and integrating mental health into disaster response. Today, those lessons continue to guide action.
To commemorate the World Mental Health Day 2025, WHO Sri Lanka, together with the Ministry of Health, the Disaster Management Centre, and partners, hosted an international webinar titled, “Bridging the Gap: Mental Health as a Pillar of Disaster Preparedness and Recovery” that brought together experts and policymakers. The conversation focused on a clear message that mental health is not an afterthought in disasters, it is a lifeline.
Speakers highlighted how mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) must be woven into every stage of the disaster cycle, from preparedness and response to recovery and resilience. By acting early, communities are better able to cope with trauma, rebuild their lives, and prevent cascading mental health issues. This is especially critical for vulnerable groups, who often face the greatest barriers in accessing care. Another powerful theme was the role of communities themselves. Since disasters start and end in communities, participants emphasized the importance of empowering people as active stakeholders in decision-making. Building resilience at the community level ensures that recovery is sustainable, inclusive, and rooted in local realities.
Moving forward, the discussions called for leveraging national acts, policies, and disaster plans to establish lasting mechanisms for mental health care in emergencies. By embedding MHPSS into national systems, Sri Lanka can strengthen its preparedness while advancing global commitments for equitable and resilient mental health.
The webinar not only marked World Mental Health Day but also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s determination to place mental health at the heart of disaster preparedness and recovery, ensuring that when crises strike, no one is left behind.