Empathy Day

Empathy Day History

Empathy Day is a time to reflect on the importance of understanding and connecting with one another. The observance focuses on encouraging compassion, listening, and open-mindedness in order to build stronger communities and foster social harmony. Key aspects of Empathy Day include highlighting the role of empathy in preventing and resolving conflicts, promoting mental health awareness, and celebrating the power of storytelling as a tool for cultivating empathy.

While Empathy Day was established by the Empathy Lab in the United Kingdom in 2017, the core values it represents extend to people from all walks of life around the globe. In the UK, this day is particularly significant due to an increasing awareness of social isolation, mental health issues, and the need for greater understanding between various cultural and ethnic groups. Empathy Day serves as an opportunity for individuals in the United Kingdom to embrace their common humanity, and to remember that behind every person lies a unique story, worthy of compassion and understanding.

On Empathy Day, various activities take place across the UK to promote empathy and understanding. Schools, libraries, and community centres often host workshops, seminars, and storytelling sessions to explore the theme of empathy. In addition, numerous individuals use social media platforms and the hashtag #ReadForEmpathy to share book recommendations and engage in discussions around empathetic storytelling. Specific to the United Kingdom, Empathy Day is celebrated annually on the second Tuesday of June, providing a reminder to Britons to practice empathy not only during the observance, but every day of the year.

Empathy Day Facts

• According to empathylab.uk, empathy can improve social and emotional competence. It is also an essential ingredient in education and a key factor in moral behaviour.
• Only 10% of our empathic capacity is genetic.
• According to empathylab.uk, 94% of employers agreed social and emotional skills were as important as academic qualifications in the workplace.
• Some evidence suggests that empathy has a genetic component, with certain genes thought to influence our capacity for empathy. However, environmental factors, such as upbringing and life experiences, also play a crucial role in shaping our empathic abilities.
• Empathy is a critical component of emotional intelligence, which is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions and those of others.
• By exercising empathy, people are more likely to treat others with respect and create a more caring and inclusive environment.

In the News and Trending for Empathy Day

Empathy Day Top Things to Do

• Improve and better your empathy by reading literature. It's been shown to be a good way to improve one's understanding of other people.
• Browse the 2024 Empathy Collection and find books that can help with building empathy.
• Watch a movie that helps build empathy. Here are our suggestions:
  A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood (2019)
  Hidden Figures (2016)
  Inside Out (2015)
• Explore documentaries that shed light on social issues and individual struggles. These documentaries can help develop empathy by offering insights into different lives and experiences.
• Find local charities or organizations that offer virtual volunteering opportunities. This can range from participating in online tutoring programs, mentoring sessions, or offering support through virtual platforms.