World Mental Health Day 2026: Using data to support better mental health
How open data can help reveal needs, inequalities and gaps in support across Europe
World Mental Health Day is marked each year on 10 October to raise awareness of mental health and encourage action against stigma and unequal access to support. Mental health affects people of every age and background, as well as families, workplaces and communities. The day offers an opportunity to consider how reliable evidence can help public authorities understand needs and design more effective responses.
The European Commission's comprehensive approach to mental health places mental health alongside physical health. Its 20 flagship initiatives are guided by prevention, access to high-quality and affordable care, and reintegration into society after recovery. The concrete actions under this approach address mental well-being, resilience, social inclusion and the stigma that can prevent people from seeking support. Together, these measures aim to promote a person-centred approach to mental health in Europe.
Open data supports this work by making patterns visible while protecting personal information. On the European Data Portal, users can explore mental health datasets and wider resources concerning well-being and access to healthcare. These resources can help identify inequalities between groups and regions, understand where services are hardest to access and make better-informed decisions about where support is needed.
This World Mental Health Day, explore the European Commission's overview of EU action on mental health and search for mental health datasets on the European Data Portal. These resources provide a starting point for anyone interested in learning more about mental health in Europe.
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