On 10th October 2025, World Mental Health Day turns attention to the growing need for psychological safety and emotional well-being. Mental health expert Noel McDermott is urging people to focus on creating safe spaces for themselves and their communities in what he describes as an increasingly fearful world. “Let’s make this World Let’s Be Safe Day by creating psychological and mental safety,” he says.
McDermott explains that fear is one of the most powerful influences on human behaviour. “There is a scene in the Dune film where the hero recites a mantra involving the words ‘fear is the mind killer’ and it is as a statement perfectly true,” he says. “There is also a saying from a behavioural psychologist which states ‘we are afraid of the bear because we run away from it, we don’t run away because we are afraid’.”
This reflection captures what McDermott sees as a defining struggle in modern life: the tension between fear and safety. He notes that throughout human history, people have been fascinated by this duality: what Freud called Eros versus Thanatos and what modern neuroscience describes as the amygdala versus the frontal lobe. The balance between these forces determines how we respond to danger and how we build safety within our social “herd”.
“There is much in the news and the world that makes us want to run away from the bear,” McDermott explains. “The problem with this is if we do it, it only makes us want to run away more often and faster. We inadvertently reinforce the fear and we get more and more jumpy. The link to mental health problems is that fear makes us ill, quite literally, in all our affairs. Psychologically, relationally and physically too much fear makes us ill.”
McDermott believes the solution lies in creating a sense of psychological safety through higher thinking and stronger social connections. “Fear and running away is one half of staying safe; the other half is in our higher functioning and our social nature,” he says.
He recommends two main areas of focus:
Focus on higher functioning. Talk about what worries you or write them in a journal. Improve your emotional vocabulary and recognise which thoughts are helpful or destructive. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) thought records, meditation, yoga, and therapy can provide perspective on internal dialogue. Reading, playing music, painting, visiting art galleries, or attending the theatre all stimulate emotional intelligence. McDermott also suggests messaging five friends to share ideas for intellectual and emotionally intelligent activities, or even returning to education to keep the brain active.
Strengthen social connections. “Before you diagnose yourself as anxious or depressed, first check you are not surrounded by fools … well go on, check and if you are, change your surroundings,” McDermott advises. He explains that resilience is built through supportive social networks: “The broader your network is, the kinder and more loving and tolerant it is, the better you will cope.” He encourages people to step outside their comfort zones by joining social or activity groups, or even creating their own. “There is nothing quite like emotional cat herding – organising those who don’t know each other around an activity – to give your mind a workout,” he adds.
Acts of kindness, McDermott says, are another foundation of mental health. “Spread the love. Volunteer to help the less fortunate, get involved in making the world a better and kinder place, preach about kindness and tolerance. Smile… lots and lots of smiles!”
As part of his message for this year’s World Mental Health Day, McDermott offers a simple exercise. “Set aside five minutes to imagine the most beautiful, safe and loving place you can dream up and spend some time there in your mind… then repeat every day for ever,” he says.
With over 30 years of experience in health, social care, education, and criminal justice, McDermott is both a psychotherapist and dramatherapist. His company, Mental Health Works, provides tailored psychological support to the public and organisations, helping individuals build resilience and emotional wellbeing through practical, evidence-based methods.
