How can my company celebrate World Mental Health Day in a meaningful (and affordable) way?

The most effective celebrations happen when senior leaders acknowledge the day. Block at least 30 minutes of work time. Use it to open a conversation and give employees space to share what supports their mental health.

Since 2020, we’ve helped exactly 286 HR teams mark World Mental Health Day.

Here’s what we’ve learned: employees value authenticity over big campaigns. A genuine pause from leadership means more than balloons or a pizza party ever will.

And yes, World Mental Health Day is worth the effort. It’s one of the most recognized workplace wellness observances worldwide.

If you only do a handful of wellness days a year, make sure this is one of them.

Why?

Unlike International Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19), World Mental Health Day is consistently one of the top observances companies prioritize each year. It’s right up there with Mental Health Awareness Month (May) and World Health Day (April 7).

About 85% of our clients recognize and celebrate World Mental Health Day with wellness webinars or onsite wellness events.

1 in 4 people will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime. That means many of your employees are quietly managing stress, anxiety, or burnout right now, even if they never say a word.

So, here’s my promise. In this article I’ll give you:

• Practical ways to celebrate on any budget
• The real pricing if you want to book a Twello wellness class
• And a few tips to make this feel less overwhelming (because I know you’re juggling 47 other things)

How to Celebrate (No Matter Your Budget)

$0 Budget 👌

Option 1: 30-Minute “Mental Health Break”

Put a calendar block in everyone’s schedule that simply says:

This is your time.

You have full permission to:

• • Step outside
  • Go for a walk
  • Catch up with a friend
  • Meditate
  • Journal
  • Listen to your favorite podcast
  • Do absolutely nothing

Please do not use this time to answer emails, Slack messages, or “catch up on work.” The emails will be there when you get back, and you’ll be more focused when you return.

This is a moment to pause, breathe, and take care of you.

We ask that you treat this time as non-optional, just like a meeting you wouldn’t skip.

Let’s lead by example and prioritize mental well-being together.

Sent with care,
[Senior Leader’s Name]

Why this works: When senior leaders model rest, it gives employees explicit permission to do the same. The higher the leader, the stronger the signal that mental health matters and that it’s safe to step away. Plus, employees know what they need. They will use the 30 minutes in the way that feels the most restorative to them.

Option 2: Leadership Vulnerability Hour

Set up a short 30-minute session where 2–3 senior leaders each share one personal mental health practice, story, or challenge. Think less “presentation,” more “fireside chat.”

Each leader speaks for 5–10 minutes max. Keep it conversational. No slides, no scripts, no corporate jargon.

You can prompt them with questions like:

• Can you share a time when work felt like too much, and what helped you make it through?
• What’s one truth about mental health at work that more people need to hear, even if it’s uncomfortable?
• What’s one small habit or ritual that helps you stay grounded when everything feels chaotic?

You can even record the session and share it internally for those who couldn’t attend.

Why this works: When employees see leadership acting human (instead of like super-high-functioning-robots), they’re more likely to feel safe doing the same. It creates cultural permission to talk openly about stress, burnout, and self-care.

$500–$1,500 Budget 💵

Engaging Workplace Wellness Classes Your Team Will Actually Attend

This is where Twello shines. For a flat $690 per class (or $490 if you book 4+), you can bring in a live expert to guide your team. Our most popular wellness webinars for October 10 are:

• Stretch & Soothe For Anxiety
• Break the Stress Cycle
• Chair Yoga
• Understanding Anxiety

View the full catalog here.

And yes, we handle everything: marketing graphics, surveys, free recordings (yours forever). You just show up with your team.

Why this works: These are the topics your team is already Googling late at night or trying to squeeze into their weekend. Offering them at work shows you get it, that you care about what’s actually useful, not just performative.

And let’s be honest: sometimes it’s just a relief to take this off your plate and hand it to someone who has done this 1,000 times before. Twello facilitators are certified, insured, and genuinely engaging. They show up as trusted third-party experts, so employees can listen, learn, and exhale.

$5,000+ Budget 💰

If you’ve got a healthier budget, go big:

• A custom keynote with one of our lead facilitators (think: a company-wide event that actually lands).
• Or bundle it into an 8-class pack ($440/class) to cover not just October 10th but also holiday stress, winter wellness, and January “fresh start” vibes.

Why this works: If leadership is on board with a full wellness experience, amazing(!!!). That puts you in the top tier of companies that don’t just say they care about people, but actually invest in them. A custom keynote lands well because it creates a shared moment across the org, something thoughtful, human, and high-impact.

And if you want to keep that energy going beyond October 10? Bundling into a multi-class package shows that wellness isn’t a one-time campaign, it’s part of how your company operates. Regular sessions throughout the year reinforce that mental health isn’t just a trend. It’s a value.

Hot Take: Don’t Let Leadership Overcomplicate This

You don’t need balloons, branded mugs, or a wellness carnival to “prove” you care.

(In fact, please skip the balloons. They pop. They scare people. They end up in the ocean.)

What employees actually want is acknowledgment and support. A simple class, a candid conversation, or a blocked-off break makes a difference. Balloons make a mess. You can tell I’ve had some bad balloon experiences.

World Mental Health Day is your reminder to pause and tell your people: We see you. We value you. We know life is stressful, and we want to help you through it.

Ready to Plan for October 10?

If you’re juggling a million things and want this off your plate, we can help.

Twello sessions are flat-rate, HR-friendly, and, dare I say it, actually easy to book.

You can book instantly here or book a free consultation with Twello and let’s make October 10, 2025 a day your team will actually remember.

FAQs (because I know leadership will ask)

Q: Do we really need to celebrate this day at work?

A: Honestly? Yes. It’s one of the most recognized global wellness observances, and skipping it can feel tone-deaf. About 85% of Twello’s clients celebrate this day. It is also the 5th most celebrated day annually, only following: #1) Employee Appreciation Day (March 7th, 2025), #2) International Women’s Day (March 8th), #3) Pride Month (June) and #4) Mental Health Awareness Month (May).

Q: What if our employees are remote?

A: Great news! All of these ideas work great for remote/hybrid teams. Of course, if you’re doing something onsite, just make sure your remote folks can join in, whether that’s streaming it live, recording it for later, or offering a virtual option. They should feel just as included and cared for. The most thoughtful celebrations are the ones that reach everyone, no matter where they’re working from.

Q: What if my budget is literally zero?

A: You’re still in the game. Some of the most meaningful World Mental Health Day events we’ve seen didn’t cost a thing. Block off 30 minutes on the calendar. Send a cal invite from leadership that feels human (you can borrow the template above!). Encourage people to take a real break. And when leadership sees that a low-cost event is well-received, it often helps unlock budget for next year. A thoughtful, no-frills celebration can go a long way.

Q: Do we have to celebrate on October 10?

A: Not at all. October 10 is the official day, but celebrating anytime that week, or even the week before, is totally fair game. If October 10 falls on a Friday (like it does in 2025), and you know your team tends to take long weekends, it might be more strategic to pick a different day that’s easier for folks to engage. You can always say something like, “In honor of World Mental Health Day, coming up on October 10th, we’re celebrating with…” and that’s more than enough.

Q: Can we do more than just one day?

A: Of course! A lot of teams treat October 10 as the kickoff to a bigger wellness push—especially heading into the busy holiday season. Some book a 4- or 8-class bundle so they’ve got things lined up through the end of the year. It saves you money, and it saves you from scrambling to plan something every month.