10 Mental Health Awareness Month Activities for Work
Mental Health Awareness Month is observed every year in May, and it aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. With one in five Americans living with a mental health condition, it's crucial to create a work environment that supports mental health and well-being.
As an employer, you have the power to create a work culture that prioritizes mental health. By promoting mental health awareness in the workplace, you can create a positive and supportive work environment while also improving the overall well-being of your employees.
In this blog post, we will explore 10 Mental Health Awareness Month activities that you can incorporate into your workplace to promote mental health and well-being.
How do you celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month at work?
Here are 10 ways to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month at work:
Host a Lunch-and-Learn Session
Start a Mental Health Book Club
Share Mental Health Resources
Host a Mental Health Awareness Month Trivia Event
Organize a Company-wide Mental Health Challenge
Implement a Mental Health Policy
Provide Mental Health Benefits
Foster a Supportive Work Environment
Encourage Self-Care Activities
Host a Mental Health Screening Day
Keep reading to see how you can implement these 10 activities into your Mental Health Awareness Month programming.
Host a Lunch-and-Learn Session
A lunch-and-learn session is a great way to educate your employees about mental health and ways to promote mental wellness. Invite a mental health expert to speak, and provide your employees with resources and information about how to access mental health services.
During the session, you can cover topics such as stress management, mindfulness techniques, and ways to improve overall well-being. You can also provide tips for maintaining a work-life balance, which is essential for good mental health.
Start a Mental Health Book Club
Starting a mental health book club can be an effective way to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize mental health conditions. Choose a book related to mental health and well-being and have your employees discuss the book during a lunch break or after work.
This can be a great opportunity for your employees to connect and share their experiences with mental health. It can also be an excellent way to promote empathy and understanding in the workplace.
Share Mental Health Resources
Creating a list of mental health resources that your employees can access is an effective way to support mental health in the workplace. These resources can include employee assistance programs, mental health hotlines, and online counseling services.
Share this information via email, bulletin board, or company newsletter. By providing multiple points of access to mental health resources, you are showing your employees that you care about their mental health and well-being.
Host a Mental Health Awareness Month Trivia Event
If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, then Mental Health Awareness Month Trivia may be the perfect thing! Virtual trivia is a great way for employees to feel connected and feel that they’re a part of a team. This boosts morale and promotes personal connections, which in turn will lead to a more positive, supportive work culture.
When creating your questions, be sure to keep your trivia questions challenging but not too difficult. You can pull inspiration from mental health statistics, famous quotes, or mental health advocates.
Here at Bar None Games, we offer a 60 min customized Mental Health Awareness Month Trivia event, perfect to add in to your Mental Health Awareness Month programming. With seamless operations and professional live hosts, we take care of the logistics so that all you’ll need to do is show up and enjoy the time with your team. Learn more here.
Organize a Company-wide Mental Health Challenge
Creating a company-wide mental health challenge can be a fun and effective way to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace. You can choose a challenge that encourages your employees to focus on their mental health, such as a step challenge, meditation challenge, or gratitude challenge.
This can help your employees build healthy habits that promote mental wellness, and it can also be a great way to build camaraderie and teamwork in the workplace.
Implement a Mental Health Policy
As an employer, you should have a mental health policy that addresses mental health in the workplace. The policy should outline ways in which the company will support employees' mental health and well-being, including access to mental health resources and support services.
Your mental health policy should also emphasize the importance of reducing stigma and promoting a positive work culture that prioritizes mental health.
Provide Mental Health Benefits
Providing mental health benefits, such as counseling services or mental health days, is another way to support your employees' mental health needs. This shows that the company values mental health and well-being and is committed to supporting employees who may be struggling with their mental health.
By providing mental health benefits, you are also helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and promoting a culture that prioritizes mental wellness.
Foster a Supportive Work Environment
Creating a supportive work environment is crucial for promoting mental health and well-being in the workplace. This can include flexible work schedules, a positive and inclusive workplace culture, and opportunities for professional development.
As an employer, you can take steps to create a work environment that promotes mental wellness. For example, you can encourage open communication, provide opportunities for employee feedback, and create a workplace culture that values mental health and well-being.
Encourage Self-Care Activities
Encouraging self-care activities in the workplace can help your employees build healthy habits that promote mental wellness. You can provide resources and information about self-care, such as mindfulness techniques, healthy eating habits, and exercise.
You can also provide activities that encourage self-care, such as meditation sessions, yoga classes, or even a quiet room where employees can take a break and practice mindfulness.
Host a Mental Health Screening Day
Organizing a mental health screening day can be a powerful way to promote mental health and destigmatize mental health conditions. This event can provide your employees with access to mental health professionals who can offer screenings and assessments.
This event can help identify any mental health issues that your employees may be experiencing and provide them with the resources they need to address those issues.
How can you promote Mental Health Awareness Month in the workplace?
Promoting Mental Health Awareness Month in the workplace is an excellent way to start a conversation about mental health and destigmatize mental health conditions. You can begin by sending out emails to your employees to raise awareness about Mental Health Awareness Month and why it's important. You can also organize mental health training sessions or workshops for managers and employees to learn about mental health and how to recognize and address any issues. Providing resources, such as mental health hotlines, support groups, and counseling services, can also be helpful. Another great way to promote Mental Health Awareness Month is to create a Mental Health Resource Center in your workplace, with information on mental health topics, resources, and support groups. By promoting Mental Health Awareness Month in your workplace, you are showing your employees that you care about their well-being and are committed to creating a healthy and supportive work environment.
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month with Bar None Games
Promoting mental health awareness in the workplace is crucial for creating a positive and productive work environment while also improving the overall well-being of your employees. By incorporating these ten Mental Health Awareness Month activities into your workplace, you can create a culture that values mental health and well-being, reduces stigma, and supports employees' mental health needs.
Here at Bar None Games, we are passionate about speaking out about mental health and promoting awareness. Our 60-minute themed Mental Health Awareness Month trivia game celebrates mental health. The educational and fun themed event brings awareness to and reduces the stigma around mental health, while also engaging players in competitive fun.