World Mental Health Day

🧠 World Mental Health Day — 10 October 2025

“Better toilets, better wellbeing — everywhere we go”

Today, 10 October, is World Mental Health Day — a day to remind ourselves that mental health matters all the time, in all places. It is not just about what happens at home; what we deal with when we are out, at work, or travelling also matters.

One often-overlooked influence on our mental state is the quality of washrooms away from home, whether at a workplace, a public venue, or an event. It sounds simple, but when basic facilities are lacking, the effects ripple into stress, anxiety, avoidance, and embarrassment.

The link: Poor washrooms & mental wellbeing

1. Stress, embarrassment, and anxiety

Imagine needing to use a restroom in a public building or workplace and discovering it is dirty, broken, cramped, or lacking privacy. That urgency, coupled with fear of being judged or discomfort, can elevate stress. Over time, such small but repeated irritations chip away at confidence and emotional resilience.

2. Avoidance & impact on daily life

For some people, including those with health conditions (IBS, bladder issues, Crohn’s, etc.), disabilities, or caring responsibilities, unsuitable facilities mean avoiding drinking fluids, cutting short errands, or even altering work patterns to minimise “toilet risk.” That avoidance can isolate people, reduce participation, and worsen mental load.

3. At work: dignity, safety, equality

In the workplace, good washrooms are part of a healthy environment. Poor facilities can make people feel undervalued or uncomfortable, especially in jobs requiring long hours or being away from base (e.g. fieldwork, events, agriculture). Equitable, accessible, clean restrooms support inclusion, for women, for those with medical/disability needs, for pregnant or postnatal staff. A workplace that invests in its washrooms is signalling it cares about employees’ dignity and mental health.

4. Cumulative effect & stigma

These issues are seldom talked about, toilets are “private,” “embarrassing,” or “mundane.” But over time, the cumulative effect of small stressors builds and impacts mental resilience. On a day like today, we want to bring attention to these everyday, “invisible” influences on mental health.

What we believe and champion at Loo of the Year Awards 

• Everyone deserves a clean, safe, accessible washroom — at work, events, in public spaces.

• Good washroom design and maintenance is part of creating environments that support mental health, not undermine it.

• We want clients, businesses, local authorities, and event organisers to think of restrooms not as afterthoughts, but integral elements of guest, staff, and participant wellbeing.

Signposts: Where to turn for mental health support

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing distress, anxiety, or mental health difficulties, you are not alone. Here are credible organisations and helplines in the UK you can reach out to:

You can also explore Useful Mental Health Contacts via Mind (e.g. Anxiety UK, CALM, Papyrus) Mind and Mental Health Foundation’s Get Help pages Mental Health Foundation for further resources and peer support options.

Note: If someone is in immediate danger or crisis, always call emergency services (999 in the UK) or take them to your nearest A&E.

Call to action & reflections

• For businesses, venues, employers, event organisers: Ask yourselves — are your washrooms good enough? Do they support dignity, accessibility, mental comfort? Investing in washrooms is investing in people.

• For individuals: Speak up. If you encounter poor facilities at work or events, feedback matters. You might just influence change.

• For the broader community: Use your platforms today — share this blog or your own reflections. Help lower stigma around talking about mental health and the small but real environmental factors that affect it.

On this World Mental Health Day — 10 October 2025 — let us remember that mental wellbeing is shaped by our environments, not just our minds. Clean, safe, accessible toilets are small but meaningful steps toward making every space more supportive.