Raising Awareness for World Mental Health Day

Raising Awareness for World Mental Health Day 

Adopting a comprehensive approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights is critical to ensuring sexual and reproductive well-being and bodily autonomy.  

International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) joins the international community in commemorating World Mental Health Day and acknowledges the connection of mental health with overall health and wellness, which are intrinsically linked with sexual and reproductive health.  

Since 1992, the World Federation for Mental Health observes October 10th as a day to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human. The federation’s member associations and collaborative partners are committed with ensuring that all services related to sexual and reproductive care are carried out with a comprehensive approach in mind that strives to ensure sexual and reproductive well-being and bodily autonomy.  

The Americas and the Caribbean Regional Director, Eugenia Lopez Uribe shares her sentiments on the importance of mental health by stating that: 

“IPPF has a client-centred approach that aims to promote healthy and satisfying sexuality and reproduction, which its impacted by mental health. Everyone deserves to be able to access quality care that acknowledges their needs and prioritizes their overall well-being holistically. As a region, we are committed to continuing or work challenging stigma and contributing to the promotion of dignified care and lives.” 

Sexual and reproductive Health and Rights are an integral element of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, as it is recognized by the Special Rapporteur on the right to health of the United Nations.  

Today, IPPF ACRO recognizes and celebrates our member associations who continue to deliver client-centered approaches in their day-to-day work and are working to expand access to all in their home countries and at the regional level, as we continue to champion sexual and reproductive care for all that acknowledges the impact of mental health in our ability to feel and give pleasure as well as our relationships with other people and loved ones.