Around the world, mental health and well-being is a growing need. According to the World Health Organization, rates of anxiety and depression have increased around 25% since 2020 and more than 700,000 deaths each year are due to suicide. Globally, mental health experts and organizations are calling for support to address this need, and Lions are answering the call to plan impactful mental health and well-being service in their communities.
In January 2025, Lions International launched our mental health and well-being service initiative as a response to this rapidly growing global need. As part of this initiative, Lions and Leos are serving to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and well-being, educating and supporting their communities and advocating for positive change. To guide Lions and Leos in their service as part of the initiative, Lions International launched a mental health and well-being webpage and service resource.
Every conversation, walk and gathering helps break stigma and build connection – and that’s the true power of Lions in action.
Lions in Australia have supported mental health and well-being service in their communities for decades through the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to develop, promote and educate the public through health and well-being initiatives to create happier, healthier and safer communities.
As part of the mental health and well-being service initiative, the Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation created the “Roar for Well-being” campaign to unite Lions clubs across Australia and encourage clubs to boost mental health and well-being in their communities by taking part in the mental health and well-being service initiative. To support clubs in their efforts, the foundation developed and provided 50 free, well-being event resource packages filled with materials to help clubs host local events. The foundation also provided many free downloadable resources to support Lions in their service.
“The response from Lions clubs across Australia to the mental health and well-being service initiative has been extraordinary,” said David Daniels, Australian Lions Wellbeing Foundation chair. “With more than 55 events registered, it’s clear that Lions are deeply committed to championing positive mental health and well-being in their communities.”
“Across Australia, clubs have embraced the campaign with creativity and passion — hosting school-based activities, well-being workshops, community talks, walks, morning teas, coffee and chat sessions, and more. Through these activities Lions are sparking conversations, sharing resources and encouraging self-care and connection in every corner of Australia — showing that together, we really can make a difference.”
Australia isn’t the only country that has seen a positive response to the call for Lions and Leos to serve in mental health and well-being. Mental health and well-being service reporting has increased dramatically all over the world. Lions reported nearly 15,222 service activities from July 2024 to July 2025, up more than 857% from the previous year. These service activities served about 2.4 million people, up from about 245,000 the previous year.
In Türkiye, the Bursa Uludag Lions Club hosts a recurring mental health and well-being service project to serve individuals in their community living at the Lions & Ercan Dikencik Alzheimer Hasta Knouk Evi guesthouse. Every Monday, the club performs music at the guesthouse for the residents living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Bursa Uludag Lions Club President Tolunay Yurtseven said, “While the sessions were initially held once a month, due to the interest shown by the patients, the sessions began to be held every Monday. An average of 48 guesthouse residents participate in our sessions.” The Bursa Uludag Lions Club continues to make a large impact on their community, as musical interventions have been shown to decrease agitation and anxiety and boost mood in those with the conditions.
Leo clubs are also making an impact in their communities. The La Carlota City Omega Leo Club in the Philippines organized an event to raise mental health awareness and educate their community on World Mental Health Day 2025. The event’s primary goal was to break mental health stigma by providing informative educational sessions and interactive workshops and discussions. Shaira Solivio, La Carlota City Omega Leo Club president, said, “The service project was designed to raise awareness about mental health and self-awareness, and to encourage the idea that a healthy body also leads to a healthy mind among the youth participants. I personally believe that when young people understand mental health, they grow into adults who lead with empathy and kindness. Seeing them share their thoughts and become more understanding was truly inspiring to continue spreading knowledge about mental health among youths.”
From October 4-12, 2025, Lions and Leos all over the world took part in the first ever Mental Health and Well-being Week of Service, which promoted and encouraged mental health and well-being service in alignment with World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2025. Lions and Leos organized many service activities, including awareness events and parades, meditation and wellness sessions, mental health stigma reduction events and suicide prevention awareness events. During the week, Lions and Leos reported a staggering 7,500+ service activities organized by 4,000+ clubs and serving about 2.4 million people. Since the conclusion of the Week of Service, Lions and Leos have been highlighting their impactful service all over the world. Lions International has received more than 600 video submissions to the Weeks of Service Video Showcase of these service projects, spanning all eight constitutional areas.
Lions and Leos continue to answer the call by finding unique and impactful ways to serve. Whether it’s organizing projects to serve the elderly and youth, hosting symposiums to decrease mental health stigma or raising awareness for suicide prevention, it’s clear Lions will lead to serve and serve to lead by improving mental health and well-being in their communities around the world. As Daniels put it, “Every conversation, walk and gathering helps break stigma and build connection – and that’s the true power of Lions in action.”
Visit the mental health and well-being webpage to find resources and start your service today.
Eliza Doll is a program development specialist at Lions International.
