U.N. recognizes World Mental Health Day with Oct. 10 set

By David Hartwig

The United Nations Postal Administration will issue three stamps Oct. 10 to coincide with the annual recognition of World Mental Health Day. The issue consists of a pane of 10 stamps for each of the three U.N. post offices.

“World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to reinforce our shared commitment to deepen the value given to mental health, where anyone can exercise their human rights and access affordable, quality mental health care; and where everyone can participate fully in society free from stigma and discrimination,” the UNPA said.

The stamps contain similar elements, such as lines, arrows, a rain cloud and stylized representations of one or two heads. Sergio Baradat of the United Nations designed the stamps.

The stamps are denominated $1.50 for the post office at the U.N. headquarters in New York City, 1.80 francs for the post office at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, and €1.20 for the post office at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria.

World Mental Health Day began in 1992 as an annual activity of the World Federation for Mental Health, an international organization that works for the prevention of mental and emotional disorders, the proper treatment and care of those with such disorders, and the promotion of mental health.

Since 1994 World Mental Health Day has had an annual theme. The 2023 theme for World Mental Health Day is “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”

All people have the right to the highest attainable standard of mental health, the World Health Organization said, including protection from mental health risks, access to quality care, “and the right to liberty, independence and inclusion in the community.”

For ordering information for the World Mental Health Day stamps and related products, visit the UNPA website; email unpanyinquiries@un.org; telephone 212-963-7684 or 800-234-8672; or write to UNPA, Box 5900, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163-5900.

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