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October 10th • Health & Society

World Mental Health Day

Mental health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental human right. Every October 10th, the world shines a light on the invisible battles millions of people face every day. Today, we debate the importance of empathy in the modern workplace, the impact of social media on our self-esteem, and how we can finally break the persistent social stigmas surrounding mental wellness. How can we make checking in as normal as checking the news?

A person peacefully reflecting in nature

Speaking Discussion

  • Why do you think there is still a social stigma surrounding mental health in some cultures, even in 2026?
  • In your opinion, what is the single biggest threat to our mental wellness in the modern world? Is it technology, work, or something else?
  • How can a manager or a CEO create a safe environment for employees to talk about their stress and burnout?
  • Do you practice any specific self-care routines to help you stay balanced? What works best for you?
  • Do you agree that mental health should be taught in schools as a mandatory subject, just like physical education or math?
  • If a friend was struggling but didn't want to talk about it, how would you try to support them without being intrusive?

Activity 1: The wellness Initiative

The Task: You are the Head of Human Resources. You have a budget to implement one wellness project in your office.

What is the project, and how will it help the team?

Activity 2: Rapid Fire Sentences

Complete the sentence and justify it in 20 seconds.

  • "The most important part of wellness is..."
  • "I think empathy is..."
  • "In my opinion, self-care is..."