World Health Day 2001 was dedicated to influencing public opinion and stimulating debate on how to improve the current condition of mental health patients around the world. Nobody is immune to mental disorders, and their impact in psychological, social and economic terms is very high.

Advocacy activities focused on the key concerns of care and exclusion as demonstrated by depressive disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, alcohol dependence, epilepsy and mental retardation. Countries and organizations adapted activities to focus on the problems and disorders which have a significant impact in their communities.