Every year on 10 October, the world marks World Mental Health Day – a global reminder that mental wellbeing matters as much as physical health. This year’s theme, “Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies,” highlights the urgent need for mental health support during times of crisis – from natural disasters and conflicts to personal upheavals.
While not everyone will face large-scale emergencies, many of us experience our own internal ones – stress, loss, burnout, trauma, anxiety, or the weight of everyday responsibilities. For women, especially, life can feel like an emotional storm: changing roles, hormonal shifts and caring for others while trying not to lose oneself in the process.
This day reminds us that mental health is everyone’s business, and that help, healing and hope are always possible.
Why Mental Health Awareness Always Matters
Unfortunately, stigma and silence still hold many people back from seeking help, despite the growing conversations around wellbeing. It’s common to think you should be able to “cope” or “push through”, but emotional overload isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that something needs attention.
Research shows that around 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, yet access to therapy, community support and self-care resources remains uneven. Many NHS counselling services have been drastically reduced or even cut entirely due to budget constraints, and private therapy is out of reach for many people.
World Mental Health Day encourages us to look not only at the big picture – policy, funding and services – but also at how we take care of ourselves and each other in everyday life.
The Mind-Body Connection and How EFT Can Help
Our minds and bodies are deeply connected. When stress, fear or grief build up, the nervous system reacts by increasing cortisol, tightening muscles, disrupting sleep and keeping the body in a state of high alert. Over time, this affects not only mental health but also physical wellbeing.
This is where Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), or Tapping, can make a real difference.
EFT is a gentle, science-backed method that combines focused attention on a problem or emotion with light tapping on specific acupressure points on the face and upper body. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress hormones and allow the body to process emotions safely.
Studies have shown EFT can help with:
- anxiety and overwhelm – lowering physiological stress responses
- depression and burnout – improving mood and emotional resilience
- sleep and relaxation – calming an overactive mind
- trauma and grief – supporting emotional release and recovery
- self-compassion and confidence – rebuilding trust and connection with yourself
In recent years, it has been wonderful to see EFT being used in emergency relief and disaster settings worldwide, providing emotional support to people recovering from war, natural catastrophes and crises, as well as the frontline workers helping them. It’s gentle, portable and effective, often bringing a sense of calm and safety when nothing else feels stable.
In my own work with women over 40, I’ve seen how Tapping can gently shift patterns of overthinking, self-criticism and emotional exhaustion. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine; it’s about acknowledging what’s really going on and giving your body and mind the space to let go.
Small Ways to Support Your Mental Health Today
On this World Mental Health Day, take a few quiet minutes to check in with yourself.
Ask yourself: how am I really feeling? what do I need today?
Here are a few ways to nurture your mental wellbeing:
- tap daily – even a few minutes of EFT can help calm racing thoughts or anxiety
- pause and breathe – step outside, stretch, or ground yourself with slow, mindful breathing
- journal – writing out your emotions helps process them rather than suppress them
- reach out – talk to a friend, join a group or seek professional support if you’re struggling
- be kind to yourself – healing isn’t linear. Some days will feel lighter than others
You’re Not Alone
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day – Access to Services – is a reminder that mental health care should never be a privilege. But while systems try and cope, we can each take small, powerful steps to care for ourselves and one another.
If you’re navigating stress, change or emotional overload, know that there are ways to heal and tools that truly work. EFT is one of them – it’s simple, evidence-based and accessible to anyone, anywhere.
So today, take that pause. Breathe. Tap. Reconnect. Because every act of self-care is a step towards better mental health – not just for you, but for everyone around you.
If you’d like to learn more about how EFT can support your mental health and emotional wellbeing, you can visit my website to explore my 12-week Next Chapter Programme or download my 12-week Tapping Journal.
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