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 in Action: Mental Health Support in Humanitarian Crises
This year’s theme, chosen by the WCCBT Board, aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emphasis on mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian crises, emergencies and disaster contexts. Humanitarian emergencies — whether conflict, disaster, displacement, or large-scale disruption — not only destroy physical infrastructure; they also fracture social support, disrupt mental health services, and expose individuals and communities to profound psychosocial strain. As a community of CBT practitioners, scientists, and organisations, we have a unique role to play: to offer evidence-based psychological interventions that can be adapted, scaled, and applied in humanitarian or crisis-affected settings; to raise awareness of the impact of emergencies on mental health; and to contribute to system-strengthening, capacity-building, and advocacy.
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.