Isle of Man Samaritans – World Mental Health Day

Isle of Man Samaritans is proud to be supporting “World Mental Health Day” which is held on

10th October every year. The day provides a huge opportunity to raise awareness about the

importance of taking care of our mental health and wellbeing, as well as looking out for others.

This year’s campaign is ‘real experiences heard: real voice, real change’. The theme

focuses on meaningfully engaging with people who have lived experience of mental health

conditions and to recognise their knowledge as a vital form of expertise.

The World Health Organisation recognise that someone with lived experience can be

important to help make change and help influence decisions due to their own past struggles

or daily experience. This year’s campaign calls for their voices to shape the policies, services,

and decisions that affect their lives.

‘We are hopeful that this year’s theme provides a different outlook on mental health and will

support people with lived experience to be heard where it matters,’ said Deana Douglas,

Branch Director at Isle of Man Samaritans. ‘There are far too many times when people with

lived experiences are asked to share their experiences and stories but then they are excluded

from any decision making, so we hope this campaign will help bring change.”

Samaritans is the charity that prevents suicide through the power of human connection.

Connecting people in crisis with trained volunteers who will always listen. This World Mental

Health Day, Isle of Man Samaritans would like to remind anyone out there who is struggling

about any issues, that they can reach out to Samaritans, any time of the day on 116 123.

For further information, please feel free to contact the Isle of Man Samaritans team at

samaritans@manx.net.