World Mental Health Day · Free global online episode
Lived experiences heard
Real voices, real change.
Sunday 11 October 2026 · 2pm BST
UK 2pm · India 6:30pm · East Africa 4pm · Mauritius 5pm
Watch here
Press play at 2pm on Sunday
An afternoon of honest conversation for World Mental Health Day, with people sharing their own experiences of mental health and what helped them. The stream plays right here, or watch on YouTube or Facebook and join the live chat.
Never miss a Sunday
Why this episode
Mental health touches every family. Listening is where change starts.
World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October. The World Health Organization estimates that in 2019 about one in eight people worldwide were living with a mental health condition, and many never get the care and support they need.
This Sunday the microphone goes to people with lived experience: what it felt like, what helped, and what they wish others understood. Healing Our Earth has broadcast free every Sunday since April 2020, and this episode is about listening, inclusion and community.
Start this week
Six small things that help
General ideas for looking after your mind day to day. What works is different for everyone, and they are no replacement for professional help when you need it.
Connect with others
Time with family, friends or neighbours helps you feel part of something. A short call or message counts.
NHS: five steps to mental wellbeing
Keep moving
Walking, dancing, yoga or gardening can lift your mood. Choose something you enjoy and can keep doing.
NHS: five steps to mental wellbeing
Notice the present moment
Pausing to notice your breath, your surroundings and how you feel can help you step back from worries. Prayer and meditation work for many people.
NHS: five steps to mental wellbeing
Learn something new
A recipe, a song, a craft or a language. Learning builds confidence and a sense of purpose.
NHS: five steps to mental wellbeing
Give to others
A kind word, volunteering or helping a neighbour is good for them and good for you.
NHS: five steps to mental wellbeing
Protect your sleep
Regular sleep and wake times, fewer screens before bed and a calm wind-down help your mind recover.
General sleep guidance
If you need help now
Please read this and share it with the people you love. Reaching out is a sign of strength.
If you are struggling
- Talk to someone you trust, today if you can
- Contact your GP or local health service
- UK: call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, day or night
- UK: text SHOUT to 85258
- UK: call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option
You are not alone, and you do not have to wait until things get worse.
In an emergency
- If a life is at risk, call 999 in the UK or your local emergency number
- India: Tele-MANAS 14416, free, day and night
- USA: call or text 988
- Anywhere else: find a helpline at findahelpline.com
Worried about someone? Ask them how they are, and listen.
Programme
The line-up
Sunday 11 October, from 2pm BST (UK time), in running order, with South Asian Health Action. Tap a poster to see it full size.
(opens full-size poster)From 2:00pmDr Amrita Sharma
Event co-producer and lead anchor
Opening and anchoring the episode
- (opens full-size poster)2:05pm
Dr Ghazala Jabeen
Event co-producer
Supporting mental health globally
- (opens full-size poster)2:20pm
Dr Aninda Sidhana
Guest speaker
Taking mental health beyond the clinic
- (opens full-size poster)2:35pm
Vanessa Mary
Strategic Wellbeing Partner, SEEDS Community
The unseen impact of emotional trauma
- (opens full-size poster)2:50pm
Kirit Mistry
Event co-producer. Founder and Lead for Health Inequalities, SAHA UK
Mental Health Community Connectors: tackling mental health stigma in South Asian communities
- (opens full-size poster)3:05pm
Dr Noura Vyas, PhD
Associate Professor of Mental Health, Kingston University London
Building inner resilience: finding strength in life's challenges
- (opens full-size poster)3:20pm
Dr Fabida Aria
Consultant Psychiatrist and Executive Medical Director, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Mental Health Community Centres: new models for holistic mental health support
- (opens full-size poster)3:50pm
Jit Chauhan
Founder and Director, Free in Recovery CIC
Challenges with alcohol addiction and the lack of mental health support
- (opens full-size poster)4:20pm
Acharya Sri Shivam
Event co-producer
Inner Journey: an experiential journey within
- (opens full-size poster)4:35pm
Mridula Sankhyanan
Guest speaker
Resting in consciousness
- (opens full-size poster)4:50pm
Seema Shah
Guest speaker
My experiences with Inner Journey
- (opens full-size poster)5:05pm
Irene Gambina
Speaker
The totality of you: rethinking mental health
- (opens full-size poster)5:20pm
Priscilla Vazquez
Speaker
The Mind Analytics
Times are a guide and may move a little on the day. The episode is free to watch live on YouTube.
Questions
Do I need to register or pay?
No. The episode is free and open to everyone. Join us on this page, YouTube or Facebook at 2pm UK time.
What time is it where I am?
UK 2:00pm, Central Europe 3:00pm, East Africa 4:00pm, Mauritius and Dubai 5:00pm, India 6:30pm, Hong Kong and Singapore 9:00pm, New York 9:00am.
Can I ask a question?
Yes. Type it into the live chat during the broadcast, or send it to us on Telegram beforehand. If you would rather not use your name, tell us and we will keep it anonymous.
What if I miss it?
The full recording stays on our YouTube channel and plays on this page, so you can watch whenever suits you.
Is this medical advice?
No. The episode and this page share personal experiences and general information. Please talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your own situation. If you are in crisis, see “If you need help now” above, or call 999 in the UK or your local emergency number.
See you on Sunday at 2pm
Bring a cup of tea and someone who could use the company. Listening. Inclusion. Community. Change.
Personal experiences and general information only, not a substitute for advice from a doctor or mental health professional. In a crisis, call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK) or your local emergency number. Healing Our Earth broadcasts free every Sunday.
Coming up
Next on Healing Our Earth
Our Sunday episodes are free and stream live on YouTube. If you are outside the UK, your local time shows under each date.
Sunday 11 October · 2pm BST
World Mental Health Day: Lived Experiences Heard
Real voices, real change. An episode about listening, inclusion and community, led by people with lived experience.
Sunday 18 October · 2pm BST
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