Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to talk about mental health, break down stigma and create a healthier work environment.

The value of supporting Mental Health Awareness Week

As an employer, you play a key role in raising awareness around mental health.

Supporting your employees’ mental wellbeing can:

• Improve employee wellbeing and engagement
• Reduce absences caused by stress and other mental health challenges
• Encourage open conversations and break the stigma around mental health

Engaging employees during Mental Health Awareness Week

There are many ways to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week. Here are some things you could try in your workplace:

Encourage open conversations

Use the week to start conversations about mental health in your workplace. Encourage managers and senior leaders to talk about mental health with employees. Sharing experiences will help create a positive atmosphere and break the stigma.

Offer wellbeing activities

Organise activities that promote good mental wellbeing in the workplace. This could include mindfulness sessions, or stress management sessions.

You can find ideas for wellbeing activities on the Hapus website (opens in new window).

Use digital platforms

Share mental health tips, employee success stories and resources. You could do this through emails, social media or your company intranet.

Support employees beyond Mental Health Awareness Week

Supporting your employees mental health should be an ongoing effort. Here are some ways you can keep mental health a priority throughout the year:

Have open conversations

Schedule regular team check-ins and one-to-one meetings. Have anonymous feedback options to encourage employees to share any concerns.

Encourage work-life balance

Encourage employees to take regular breaks and use their annual leave allowance. Consider flexible working requests from employees to support their work-life balance.

Offer confidential support

If possible, offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) or mental health services.  You can also promote initiatives like the In Work Support Service to employees.

Train your managers

Give leadership teams the skills and tools to spot signs of stress. This will give them the confidence to support employees where needed.

Create peer support networks

Consider introducing mental health champions or peer mentors in your workplace. Provide training where needed and allow time for them to carry out this role.

Review and update policies

Regularly review workplace policies to ensure they support staff wellbeing, fairness, and inclusion.

Know How to support a colleague in crisis

If someone is in a mental health crisis, it’s important to act quickly and support them in the right way.  

You can call NHS 111 and select Option 2 if you or someone you know needs urgent mental health care, but it’s not life threatening. 

Mental Health 111 (Option 2) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is free to call from a mobile (even when the caller has no credit left) or from a landline. 

Get Involved

Find out how your workplace can get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week and access resources on the Mental Health Foundation website (opens in new window). 

Find out more information on our mental health and wellbeing at work webpage. 

To can get updates about health and wellbeing campaigns throughout the year, sign up to our e-bulletin. 

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