World Health Day 2001 is a global advocacy activity dedicated to mental health issues.

World Health Day 2001 slogan "Mental Health: Stop exclusion – Dare to care" incorporates two universal messages:

1. All societies need to focus on a reduction in the treatment gap of mental health disorders. Many advances have been made in research regarding the available treatment settings (hospitals, community care, etc) and evidence-based methods for intervention. Meaningful knowledge has been gained on the causation, associations, characteristics and the prevention of mental/brain problems. The benefits of this knowledge have yet to reach all populations, particularly the underprivileged. Many countries are reluctant to effectively address the burden of existing mental health problems through appropriate policy, legislation and services.

• More care, better care, access to care: 
  what is needed in your Region?

2. The pervasive effects of social exclusion resulting from stigma and discrimination and the out-dated nature of many mental institutions prevents people in need from seeking treatment.

• Less exclusion, less discrimination will help those afflicted and their families to lead better and more productive lives and encourage those in need to seek treatment.