October brings several opportunities to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and recognize the power of connection and peer support. This month, DBSA is highlighting key mental health awareness observances and the importance of making peer support a recognized part of mental health care.
Depression Awareness Month
October is Depression Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding of depression, reduce stigma, and encourage conversations about mental health and well-being. It’s an opportunity to learn more about depression, recognize signs and symptoms, explore wellness strategies, and connect with resources and support. DBSA offers education and wellness resources to help people better understand mood disorders and find tools for living well.
Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 4–10
Mental Illness Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and recognize the many ways people experience and understand mental health conditions.
This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is highlighting the connection between scientific research and lived experience—recognizing that both are important to improving mental health care and building hope.
At DBSA, we believe people living with mood disorders bring essential knowledge to conversations about mental health. That knowledge also strengthens the peer workforce, where people with lived experience use their expertise to support others and help shape more responsive mental health services.
Peer support is an important part of a broader mental health care system. By recognizing the value of the peer workforce and creating meaningful opportunities for peers to contribute, we can help ensure that lived experience informs how mental health services are designed and delivered.
National Depression Screening Day
October 8
Depression can affect how a person feels, thinks, and functions—and recognizing the signs can be an important first step toward getting support.
A depression screening is not a diagnosis, but it can help you identify symptoms that may be worth discussing with a health care professional.
World Mental Health Day
October 10
World Mental Health Day brings attention to mental health around the world and highlights the importance of listening to people with lived experience.
The 2026 theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” emphasizes that people who have experienced mental health conditions should have a meaningful role in shaping the policies, services, and decisions that affect their lives.
At DBSA, we believe people living with mood disorders bring valuable expertise to conversations about mental health. Their experiences can help shape better services, stronger communities, and more responsive mental health systems.
TRD Awareness Day
October 14
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a form of depression that does not improve adequately after treatment. TRD Awareness Day is an opportunity to increase understanding of this experience and the challenges people may face when finding an effective treatment approach.
At DBSA, we believe education can help people living with depression have more informed conversations with their health care providers about their experiences, treatment options, and ongoing support. Learn more about depression and treatment, and explore DBSA resources for living well with a mood disorder.
Global Peer Support Celebration Day
October 15
Global Peer Support Celebration Day recognizes the people who use their lived experience to support others on their mental health journeys. Peer support specialists are an important part of the mental health workforce, offering connection, understanding, and support grounded in lived experience.
DBSA supports the growth of the peer workforce through education and training. Our Peer Support Specialist Training Course prepares people with lived experience to build the skills and knowledge needed to provide effective peer support and pursue opportunities within the mental health field.
Next course date: November 2, 2026
