Yellow September campaign promotes mental health awareness in Brazil

The Yellow September campaign is currently promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Brazil. The movement, which originated in the United States following the death of Mike Emme in 1994, focuses on the importance of dialogue and seeking help. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) observe that suicide was the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 in 2021, with 73% of global cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

In Brazil, the campaign has been organized since 2014 by the Brazilian Psychiatric Association (ABP) in partnership with the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM). Discussions surrounding the campaign have also highlighted the need for emotional self-care among religious leaders. Research indicates that pastoral roles can involve significant loneliness and psychological exhaustion, prompting calls for better support systems and emotional health resources within church communities.