Every year on 10 October, we  commemorate World Mental Health Day. We are reminded of a simple yet profound truth: you cannot pour from an empty cup. This sentiment echoed powerfully through two activities organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)'s Psychosocial Mobile Team (PMT) in Izmir, highlighting the deep connection between personal well-being and our ability to care for others.

Photo-1: Municipality staff discuss ways to improve mental well-being at the Positive Parenting seminar. Photo 2: Women from migrant and local communities in İzmir participate in a yoga session.

The Positive Parenting seminar and the Yoga and Emotional Awareness session for women, both held in partnership with İzmir Bornova Municipality, offered a space for reflection on how mental health is central to our roles as caregivers, parents and community members. 

At the heart of the Positive Parenting seminar was a vital message: nurturing our children begins with nurturing ourselves. The participants, who work daily to support their families, discussed ways to create safe, loving homes where children can thrive. But as they explored these strategies, another theme surfaced: parents must be emotionally and mentally well to provide that stability. 

The discussions led to a common realization that parenting is not just about teaching children — it’s about modeling resilience, empathy and emotional balance. The seminar emphasized that when parents are equipped with the right mental tools, they’re better able to guide their children through life's challenges. 

"Children are our reflection. Whatever we do, they do the same. They follow what we do more than what we say, which is why our mental well-being needs to be in excellent condition." – Nurten Alkan, Women and Family Services, Bornova Municipality

In parallel, a Yoga and Emotional Awareness activity for women offered a much-needed reminder of the importance of caring for one’s physical and emotional health. The session, designed to help Turkish and Syrian women come together and reconnect with their bodies and emotions, provided tools for managing stress, anxiety and the physical toll of daily life.  

For many women, the responsibilities of caregiving — whether for children, elderly relatives, or the broader community — can often take precedence over self-care. This event created a safe space for participants to focus on their own well-being.  

"Instead of focusing on the empty part of the glass, you concentrate on the full part, which helps you feel better when facing challenges. It can also affect society." Meral, Activity Participant

This insight, though simple, is often forgotten in the rush of daily life, especially among communities healing from the impact of conflict, disaster and displacement. 

For them, the need for psychosocial support becomes even more pressing. People often find themselves in survival mode, juggling trauma, uncertainty, and the immediate needs of their families. Whether working as caregivers, community leaders, or simply trying to hold their own households together, their mental health tends to take a backseat. Yet, as these two activities  underscored, those on the front lines of family and community care must have access to psychosocial support to continue their vital work. 

On World Mental Health Day, let’s remember that looking after our own mental health is not selfish. By caring for ourselves, we become better parents, better community members, and better human beings. In a world full of challenges, from humanitarian crises to daily stresses, this may be the most important lesson of all.

In 2024, IOM Türkiye’s Psychosocial Mobile Teams in Bornova, Torbalı, Karabağlar and Buca locations supported 1869 people, with generous funding received from United States Government.