Mental Health Awareness Month Ideas In the Workplace: $0, $1K, $10K, and Beyond! (2024)

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Bring Mental Wellbeing Sessions To Your Team For Mental Health Awareness Month

What Is Mental Health Awareness Month And When Is It Celebrated?

Mental health awareness month takes place every May and is designed to raise awareness, combat stigma, support policies, provide assistance, and eliminate treatment barriers for those affected by mental illness.

You may be surprised to learn that Mental Health Month actually began all the way back in 1949, in the wake of the Great Depression and two harrowing world wars. As people began to focus on ‘mental hygiene’, as it was called at the time, legislation and health facilities began to emerge to promote advocacy for mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated in several countries around the world including the United States, Canada, the UK, and more!

While the entire month is dedicated to mental health awareness, the first week of May is typically the most important, with the most events happening during the week. These days, mental health awareness in the office is a top priority, and for good reason. According to recent Gallup studies, stress is at an all-time high among office employees.

Mental Health Awareness Month In Workplaces

Employers have also come to understand that creating a culture of wellness is not just a nice initiative but a critical well-being strategy, essential for healthy and happy team members.

The numbers are remarkable when it comes to the benefits of mental health initiatives in the workplace:

  • For every dollar spent on wellness programs Companies save $5.82 in lower employee absenteeism costs (ISDH)
  • Workplaces with engaged employees enjoy 17% higher productivity than companies with a disengaged workforce (Gallup)
  • Employers who create cultures of health see 11% lower turnover than employers who do little to prioritize employee wellbeing (Mercer)
  • Wellness programming provides a competitive advantage across recruitment and retention efforts
  • 47% of active job seekers want to leave their job because of bad company culture (Hays)
  • 75% of workers have experienced burnout, with 40% saying they’ve experienced burnout specifically during the pandemic. (FlexJobs, 2021)

Whether this is your first year with a Mental Health Awareness Month campaign and a non-existent budget, or you are ready to launch the most comprehensive and engaging campaign your company has ever seen, we’ve assembled a guide to building a corporate mental health awareness strategy for you. Let’s get started!

Mental Health Awareness Month Ideas on a Tight Budget ($0)

Raising mental health awareness for employees is critical to a happy, well-adjusted workforce. However, not every company has a budget. Take stock of your starting point. Are you well-versed in mental health, or are you still Googling ‘what month is mental health awareness’? Remember—there’s no shame on either end of the spectrum!

In some cases, you may need to start small when it comes to mental health awareness in May. That’s why we’ve assembled a list of zero- or low-cost initiatives to support corporate wellness.

1. Host a Roundtable Event Featuring Internal Leaders

Hosting a roundtable event featuring internal leaders during Mental Health Awareness Month can be a valuable initiative for employees. Roundtable discussions can provide a platform for leaders to share their experiences with mental health and discuss strategies for coping with stress and building resilience. This can help promote open and honest dialogue around mental health in the workplace, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of support and wellness. Employees can also benefit from hearing about the experiences of their colleagues and leaders and may feel more comfortable sharing their own experiences and seeking support if needed. The best part is, you can do this for free!

2. Host A Mindful Movement Session

Hosting a Mindful Movement class is an excellent initiative for companies during Mental Health Awareness Month, providing a way for employees to enhance their mental and physical well-being.  Mindful Movement classes focus on toning and strengthening the body through low-to-no impact exercises that combine flexibility with self-resistance movements, all set to the rhythm of inspiring music.

Twello’s certified corporate instructors lead the class, ensuring each participant can follow along at their own pace and comfort level, with modifications available to meet individual needs. This approach not only aids in reducing stress and improving focus but also promotes overall mental clarity. Offering a Mindful Movement class allows employees to break away from the desk work, engaging in an activity that bolsters a sense of community and connection among colleagues.

Onsite & Virtual

Book "Mindful Movement" Now

Tone and strengthen your body with our Mindful Movement class! This low-to-no impact workout is a perfect blend of flexibility and self-resistance movements, set to the pace of energizing tunes. A yoga mat or towel is recommended. Loose-fitting clothing is ideal.

3. Peer Support Group

Peer support groups provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to share their experiences and receive emotional support from others who have similar struggles. By offering this resource, companies can help reduce the stigma around mental health, promote open communication, and foster a sense of community within their organization. Additionally, providing mental health support can help boost employee morale and productivity, reduce absenteeism and turnover, and create a positive workplace culture that values mental health and wellness. Overall, hosting a free peer support group is a simple yet impactful way for companies to prioritize the mental health of their employees and promote a culture of care and compassion.

4. Offer Mental Health Resources For Employees

Regardless of your budget, there are ways to show your support. By offering mental health resources to employees, you can create a culture of support and encourage open communication between management and staff. This can help demonstrate that your company values mental health and wellbeing, both during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond. And the best part? You can do it all without spending a dime.

5. Conduct A Wellbeing Challenge

Well-being challenges can be fun ways to engage employees and open up the conversation about mental health in the workplace. As an example, your company can conduct a month-long Bingo game centred on mental health. This could include challenges such as meditating at your desk, taking a 5-minute walk, or drinking 8 cups of water in a day. (Free)

Mental Health Awareness on a Mid-level Budget ($1k)

Supporting mental health awareness in May involves education, support, and combating stigma. Consider how you can empower your employees to support their own mental health and bring value to the workplace.

At work, you’re simply creating the appropriate environment and infrastructure necessary to support mental health. Just like supporting the physical health of your employees, you can support the mental health of your team through education, opportunities to practice wellness, and support from the leadership team. At the end of the day, you’re building a wellness toolbox for your employees through education and variety.

This mid-cost initiative—even if you only have a budget of $1000—is well worth the investment. It’s a great opportunity to demonstrate care for employees, while still investing in initiatives that actually make a difference.

1. Mindfulness 101 Session

Bringing a mindfulness 101 class to employees during Mental Health Awareness Month can be highly beneficial for their well-being. Mindfulness meditation is an effective tool for reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and productivity, and enhancing overall mental health.

The class provides a solid foundation for employees who are new to mindfulness meditation. They will learn the subtle differences between mindfulness and meditation and how to incorporate mindfulness practices into their daily work and personal life. By learning these techniques, employees can better manage their emotions and cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm, leading to improved mental health.

Starting with this introductory class can also serve as a gateway to further mindfulness meditation sessions, enabling employees to continue developing their mindfulness skills and further improve their mental well-being. In light of Mental Health Awareness Month, bringing this mindfulness 101 class to employees can promote a culture of wellness and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to supporting the mental health of its employees.

Onsite & Virtual

Mindfulness 101

This introduction to mindfulness meditation is perfect for calming the mind and releasing stress. In this class, you will learn the subtle difference between mindfulness and meditation and how to bring mindfulness into your work and home life. This class is highly recommended as a start to any series of sessions.

2. Chair Yoga Session 

Chair yoga can be a great way to promote mental health and well-being in the workplace, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. This type of yoga is accessible to individuals of all fitness levels, including beginners who may not have experience with traditional yoga.

By offering chair yoga sessions at work, employees can enjoy a low-impact form of exercise that can improve circulation, flexibility, and mindfulness. Additionally, taking a break to engage in chair yoga can help reduce stress, improve focus, and promote overall mental wellness, making it a valuable tool for promoting a healthy workplace culture.

Onsite & Virtual

Chair Yoga

This introduction to yoga is specially designed to be done from the comfort of your chair! It is perfect for beginners, even if the last time you touched your toes was a decade ago. These classes are taught by a registered yoga teacher. No yoga or special equipment required. Just bring yourself and a chair.

3. Send Out A Customized Pre-Recorded Wellness Session To Employees

Twello is a fantastic option for companies looking to provide mental health awareness resources to their employees during Mental Health Awareness Month. With over 20 topics available, Twello creates personalized prerecorded sessions that can be sent out to employees as communications. This is an excellent alternative to live events, as it allows employees to listen to the recordings on their own time and fit it into their busy schedules. Additionally, having access to these recordings means that employees can revisit them whenever they need a refresher or extra support.

Pre-Recorded Wellness Sessions

Choose any wellness topic from our full wellness catalog & get a company-branded pre-recorded session for your team to have access to at all times.

4. Create An Internal Company Mental Health Resource Center

A company mental health resource center is an excellent idea for mental health awareness month. Having a central location where employees can access information and resources related to mental health and well-being sends a message that the company values and prioritizes mental health. This can help to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and create a culture where employees feel comfortable seeking support and resources.

A mental health resource center can include a variety of resources such as articles, videos, infographics, and a great spot to include pre-recorded wellness sessions. By providing these resources, employees can take an active role in their mental health and well-being, and the company can create a supportive environment that prioritizes mental health. 

5. Conduct A Bingo-Style Wellbeing Challenge With Prizes

Employers can use Mental Health Awareness Month as an opportunity to promote the well-being of their employees by organizing a well-being challenge with prizes. One effective approach is to create a bingo-style challenge that includes a variety of activities that promote mental and physical health, such as mindfulness exercises, regular exercise, and healthy eating habits. Employers can also include wellness webinars as part of the bingo card, which can provide valuable information and resources for employees seeking to improve their well-being.

To encourage participation, employers can offer a $50 gift card draw for attendees who complete the challenge. This approach not only promotes mental health awareness but also provides employees with a fun and engaging way to prioritize their well-being.

Leveraging a Big Budget for Mental Health Awareness ($10k+)

If budget isn’t a major concern, consider the mental health awareness initiatives you could implement with a baseline budget of $10,000. With this type of flexibility, you can implement a complete corporate wellness plan in your workplace.

Start by selecting themes that you want to promote for an employee Mental Health Awareness Month. These themes could focus on mindfulness, resilience, work-life balance, sleep, psychological safety, and much more. You may even consider sending out a quick pulse survey to your team to understand what they would like to learn about.

Once you’ve selected these themes, choose classes that revolve around them. Depending on the interests of your workforce, you can have entire wellness plans that center on education through Emotional Intelligence 101 and Resilience Training Classes. These classes will teach employees how to communicate effectively, improve relationships in the office, and the best strategies to overcome change in the workplace.  You can also incorporate mindfulness and meditation classes into your workforce to give your employees a productive break in the day.

If you have the budget available to implement high-cost initiatives in the workplace, take advantage of it! It’s time to prioritize what really matters. Putting your money where your proverbial mouth is a great way to show employees that you care and are invested in their success.

1. Mental Health Awareness Month Kickoff Keynote

Employers can take proactive steps to raise awareness and promote mental health in the workplace by organizing a kickoff event for Mental Health Awareness Month. One effective way to do this is by inviting a mental health keynote speaker to deliver a talk on various aspects of mental health, such as stress management, burnout prevention, and stigma reduction. The keynote speaker can share personal stories, offer practical advice, and provide useful resources to help employees understand and manage their mental health.

This approach not only demonstrates an employer’s commitment to supporting their employees’ well-being but also provides an opportunity to engage employees in meaningful conversations about mental health.

By starting the month off with a mental health keynote speaker, employers can create a positive tone for the rest of the campaign and set the stage for ongoing efforts to promote mental health awareness and support in the workplace.

2. Wellness Workshop Series  

Mindfulness 101: This introduction to mindfulness meditation is perfect for calming the mind and releasing stress. In this class, you will learn the subtle difference between mindfulness and meditation and how to bring mindfulness into your work and home life. This class is highly recommended as a start to any series of sessions.

Chair Yoga: This introduction to yoga is specially designed to be done from the comfort of your chair! It is perfect for beginners, even if the last time you touched your toes was a decade ago.

Meditation 101: Learning to meditate is often overcomplicated! This introductory class explores two popular meditation styles: guided meditation and silent meditation. Learn how to determine the best fit for your busy lifestyle and how to get started with just five minutes a day.

Mat Yoga: Mat yoga is just what it sounds like! Yoga on a mat. Yoga is one of the best ways to wake up the mind and reduce stress within the body. These classes are taught by a registered yoga teacher and feature modifications that are accessible to everyone.

The Science Of Gratitude Journaling: Gratitude may be the most accessible, affordable tool we have to increase optimism, emotional resilience, and happiness. You don’t need a pricey moleskine notebook to practice gratitude journaling, any piece of paper will work just fine!

Mindfulness For Stress Reduction: Self-care is essential to maintaining positive mental health and reducing stress. And self-care isn’t just about bubble baths! This class will look at two techniques you can use to improve your own self-care and support others around you

Book A Full Wellness Series

Kick off a year of wellness in Mental Health Awareness Month!
Mindfulness, yoga, stress reduction, meditation & more.

3. Employee Gifting

During Mental Health Awareness Month, employers can show appreciation for their employees’ hard work and dedication by offering employee gifting that focuses on promoting mental health and well-being. One approach could be to provide employees with self-care items, such as stress balls, aromatherapy candles, or gratitude journals. Employers could also consider offering wellness-related services, such as online yoga classes, meditation sessions, or mental health coaching. Another option is to provide employees with resources and information related to mental health, such as books, podcasts, or webinars. By providing employees with these types of gifts, employers are sending a message that mental health is a top priority and that they care about their employees’ well-being both inside and outside of the workplace.

4. Hire A Mental Health Professional To Provide Onsite Counselling

Hiring a mental health professional to provide on-site counselling during Mental Health Awareness Month can be a highly beneficial initiative for employees. Many individuals may struggle with mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, or depression, but may not have access to the necessary resources or support to manage these concerns. By offering on-site counselling services, employees can receive the support and guidance they need in a safe and confidential environment. This initiative can also help reduce the stigma around seeking mental health treatment and can promote a culture of wellness and support within the workplace. 

5. Offer Mental Health Benefits

Offering mental health benefits is a great option for companies to prioritize during Mental Health Awareness Month, as it can have a significant impact on employee well-being and job satisfaction. Mental health benefits can include a variety of services, such as counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care, as well as resources for managing stress and anxiety, such as wellness programs and mindfulness training.

Offering mental health benefits can help companies attract and retain top talent. In a competitive job market, employees are increasingly seeking out employers who prioritize their well-being and offer comprehensive benefits packages that address their needs beyond just physical health.

Long-Term Benefits of Mental Health Awareness Month

Incorporating mental health awareness initiatives is a tangible step toward creating a better company to work for. Prioritizing mental health demonstrates that your company truly believes in its core values. This allows employees to go all-in on the company vision. When this happens, you create passionate brand ambassadors that are on fire both in their personal and professional lives.

When employees have improved mental health, they’re able to practice mental resilience, perform better, and be more productive. When employees are healthy and cared for, they can bring their best selves to work. It definitely shows in the quality of their work!

No matter what type of budget you’re working with, every employer can take steps to prioritize mental health. Creating a culture of wellness has a ripple effect.

A conscientious employer is also in business to make a difference in the lives of their employees, their families, and the community. When employers prioritize mental health, it provides space for community issues to heal and resolve. As ethical employers, supporting the communities that house us is the important thing to do.

Mental Health Awareness Month Initiatives

What initiatives do you have in mind for the month of May? Mental Health Awareness Month is a great jumping-off point for many companies to start new initiatives, launch new processes, and invest in company culture shifts.

However, it’s important to implement these changes year-round. Paying attention to mental health one month out of the year simply isn’t enough. Instead, it should be a culture shift that impacts the lives of employees all year long.

Choosing a vendor to offer corporate wellness classes that fit your work environment can be a difficult process. The best option is to find a vendor with trained corporate meditation instructors as this will lead to a confident facilitator who speaks the corporate language. At Twello, we have corporate experts and classes built specifically for corporate audiences. Our experts understand how busy life can be for a working professional.

If you are committed to investing in mental health, check out our course catalog today. Our offerings are diverse, ranging from:

  • Psychological safety
  • Resilience training
  • Stress reduction
  • Meditation
  • Work-life balance
  • Remote work stress
  • Mindfulness
  • Emotional intelligence
  • And more

All these offerings are hand-crafted to promote a culture of corporate wellness. It’s not something that just matters during Mental Health Awareness Month. Instead, it’s critical year-round.

If you’re interested in committing to corporate wellness, contact us today! We can help.

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Join forward-thinking leaders in observing Mental Health Awareness Month by offering mental health support to your employees. As the top corporate wellness provider in North America, Twello can help you lead the way in promoting employee well-being
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