World Mental Health Day is a global awareness day observed every year on October 10. It was established by the World Federation for Mental Health in 1992, and each year carries a new theme. This year's theme is "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change," a focus on how much real stories matter in reducing stigma.
Why recognize World Mental Health Day
Hearing a colleague talk about using mental health benefits can increase use of existing peer support programs by as much as 8%, according to research published in Harvard Business Review. This annual holiday gives you the perfect opportunity to encourage conversations about mental health across your organization.
Whether it's a shared resource, a leader's story, or a companywide event, marking the day tells employees that mental health is part of your company culture.
October 10 falls on a Saturday this year, so you can consider building the observance into what works best for your employees. Here are 10 ideas to help you celebrate World Mental Health Day at work.
1. Organize a Wear Green Day
Green is the color associated with mental health awareness. Organizing a day for everyone to wear green is a low-cost, fun way to raise awareness and encourage participation. Consider highlighting photos of different departments wearing green on social media or your company intranet.
2. Start a stories wall
Allow employees to share anonymous stories about mental health to reduce stigma and raise awareness. Encourage them to share by using simple prompts like:
- Who in your life best supports your mental health?
- What’s something you wish more people understood about mental health?
- What activities help you relieve stress?
- Mental health myths vs. facts
- How to identify and reduce burnout
- How to have supportive conversations about mental health at work
3. Ask a leader to share a real story
Invite leaders to share a story of their own. They can share why mental health is important to them, or their favorite way to manage stress. They can highlight company behavioral health and wellbeing programs, too.
4. Hold a lunch and learn
There are several topics that can be helpful to teams. Here are a few to consider:
5. Offer a guided mindfulness break
Schedule a live or recorded session to let employees relax and focus on their own mental health. Keep the event optional and approachable for those who have never practiced mindfulness.
6. Hold a mental health and wellbeing fair
Take advantage of the day and highlight your behavioral health and wellbeing benefits. Consider offering games that allow employees to learn more about mental health and available resources. Hand out giveaways, such as stress balls or adult coloring books.
7. Offer mental health awareness training
Provide employees with access to free mental health awareness 101 training. Training can help employees across your organization learn how to assist and support others who may be experiencing a mental health challenge.
8. Encourage creativity
Creative activities provide employees with an opportunity to relax, connect, and express themselves in a different way. Consider organizing a coloring station, journaling activity, vision board session, or art-based workshop.
9. Host a virtual mental health and wellbeing fair
A virtual fair can be a great option for a distributed workforce. Instead of in-person booths, create a day or week of online educational sessions or stress relief activities, such as mindfulness and meditation.
10. Organize a volunteer or give-back activity
Consider organizing a volunteer activity that supports mental health awareness or a related local cause. This could include participating in a fundraiser, assembling care kits, supporting a nonprofit event, or hosting a donation drive.
Recognizing World Mental Health Day is just one way to reduce stigma and show your support for employee mental health and wellbeing. And you never know, it may provide someone with the encouragement they need to seek support.
