World CBT Day
EVERY APRIL 7
2026 Global Theme: “CBT — A Solid Return on Investment”
World CBT Day is an annual global event launched by the World Confederation of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (WCCBT) to raise awareness about the importance of evidence-based psychological care in promoting mental health and wellbeing. It is celebrated every April 7th, aligning with World Health Day to underscore that mental health is a fundamental part of health.
Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CBT) are among the most scientifically validated psychological approaches, proven to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and insomnia. CBT helps people build resilience, manage stress, and reduce relapse risk—contributing to healthier, more productive communities worldwide.
How World CBT Day Began
World CBT Day was first launched in 2019 by the WCCBT to advocate for global access to effective, evidence-based care. Since its inception, the Day has inspired conferences, lectures, community events, and policy dialogues across continents. Each year, the WCCBT Board selects a unifying global theme to focus efforts and spark action among clinicians, policymakers, researchers, and the public.
How It’s Celebrated
Across the world, regional CBT associations, clinics, universities, and governments host:
- Public lectures and panel discussions on mental health.
- Awareness campaigns on social media (#WorldCBTDay).
- Policy dialogues emphasizing the value of evidence-based care.
- Community workshops and open-house events to help people understand and access CBT.
The goal is to promote a shared understanding that psychological wellbeing is not a luxury, but an essential component of health.
The 2026 Global Theme: “CBT — A Solid Return on Investment”
This year’s theme, chosen by the WCCBT Board, highlights the economic and societal value of investing in CBT. Decades of research show that CBT not only alleviates suffering but also leads to measurable financial savings by reducing healthcare costs, improving productivity, and preventing relapse.
Landmark studies such as Chisholm et al. (2016) in The Lancet Psychiatry and Layard & Clark (2014) in Thrive: The Power of Evidence-Based Psychological Therapies demonstrate that scaling up CBT interventions yields significant returns on investment, both for individuals and societies.
Get Involved
You can take part in World CBT Day by:
- Hosting or attending a local or virtual event.
- Sharing scientifically accurate posts about CBT on social media.
- Engaging policymakers to support access to CBT through healthcare systems.
- Encouraging your organization, school, or clinic to participate.