Certainly, this was purpose of the mask Paul Laurence Dunbar wore and wrote about in 1896 – although of course, it was done so to face quite different circumstances than today, namely that of deep racial prejudice and oppression. We’ve all been wearing masks for quite some time – mainly as a means of survival and self-preservation. Whether or not we consider ourselves to have a notable mental health condition, the notion of ‘putting on a brave face’ is a universal and inherently human thing to do - a shield to protect ourselves from life’s knocks, a mask (or indeed, a variety of them) to wear when things are just that bit too unbearable to lie a little, yes, but predominately to see things through without shattering. Recently – though it’s most definitely not a new phenomenon – there’s been increased talk about and identification of ‘smiling depression’, whereby an optimistic outward appearance conceals the more complex feelings under the surface that can be far harder to present to the world. Yet while it’s fantastic that we can keep breaking down barriers, some still remain and they are the ones that can be the hardest and most cumbersome to remove the ones that we construct ourselves. Needless to say, mental health is of great significance to us at The Reader Organisation, as we constantly affirm and strengthen the links between shared reading, literature and positive mental health showing that reading is an alternative but effective medicine for the mind which doesn’t just offer occupation and distraction but also gives a vital and clear space to think and reflect – and today is an ideal time to do just that.Īnother of the main aims of World Mental Health Day is to encourage greater and more open discussion upon mental health issues, and as well, all year round there are numerous campaigns that let people know that it’s perfectly fine to open up (just as it’s also entirely reasonable not to – being entirely up to the individual) because more often than not, there will be a willing and empathetic ear on the other side to listen. In the last 19 years, since the prevalence of mental health conditions has unfortunately continued to increase – it can sometimes be easy to overlook the staggering statistic that 1 in 4 people will experience some form of mental health problem over the course of one year – an up-side is that year upon year World Mental Health Day has too become a much bigger event now people in over 100 countries commemorate the day, taking considered notice of their personal mental health and that of others. The initiative, held for the first time in 1992, was conceived to raise global awareness of mental health issues, as well as pointing towards the need to increase access to and investment in prevention and treatment services (an aspect of even more importance this year, given the 2011 theme of World Mental Health Day: ‘The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health’). Every year on 10th October, World Mental Health Day is observed. Today – 10th October – is a very significant date in the calendar.
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