When organizations prioritize mental health awareness activities for employees, they create a supportive workplace culture where individuals feel valued, engaged and empowered. By investing in their employees’ mental health, employers can reap the benefits of lower employee stress levels, improved morale and stronger colleague connections.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time for employers to raise awareness of the importance of mental health. We’ll explore why mental health activities matter in the workplace and share some ideas you can use to observe Mental Health Awareness Month with your workforce. It’s important to remember, though, mental health support must be woven into work all year long to have a lasting impact.
Why mental health awareness activities matter in the workplace.
For many, the topic of mental health is taboo, especially in the workplace. The National Alliance of Mental Illness states that only 58% of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health at work.1 This highlights just how important it is to break the stigma and prioritize the importance of emotional well-being.
Mental health games and activities for workplaces often raise awareness of emotional health in a fun way. Games like stress relief bingo, adult puzzles or mental health trivia introduce the topic in accessible, engaging ways. These moments of connection often spark conversation and help employees feel less alone in their experiences.
Still, games and activities are not enough on their own. Without an organizational culture that prioritizes psychological safety, promotes respect and supports mental health year-round, even the best initiatives may fall short. Awareness efforts are most effective when they reflect a broader organizational commitment to well-being.
A mix of structured programs and everyday activities allows employees at all levels to participate in ways that fit their needs. When supported by a culture of care, these efforts reduce stigma.
10 mental health awareness activities to help employees thrive.
These mental health activities for work blend individual and team-based approaches, including relaxation techniques, creative expression and other supportive practices.
1. Nurture gratitude and appreciation programs.
Acknowledge individual and team accomplishments through structured programs like peer shout-outs, leader-led recognition or company-wide appreciation initiatives. These efforts boost morale and strengthen social workplace connections. You can also encourage employees to reflect personally by providing optional tools such as gratitude journals. Employees feel more valued and emotionally grounded when both organizational recognition and individual reflection are supported.
2. Establish peer support groups and mental health ambassadors.
Peer-led support groups and mental health ambassadors create safe spaces for employees to candidly share their feelings. Ambassadors serve as points of contact, offer guidance and connect colleagues to helpful resources. Support groups provide mentorship and a sense of community so employees feel heard. If your organization has Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), consider integrating mental health support into those networks. ERGs may offer a familiar structure and a built-in sense of community for building psychological safety and peer connection.
3. Promote outdoor activities and movement.
Movement throughout the workday improves mental clarity, reduces stress and increases well-being. Without time to reset, chronic stress can accumulate and employees are more likely to experience persistent burnout. According to WebMD Health Services’ Portfolio of Key Insights, Workplace and Employee Survey, burnout rates among Gen X increased by 60% from 2022 to 2024.2
Encourage employees to leave their desks occasionally to support their focus and productivity. Suggest walking meetings as a refreshing alternative to traditional sit-down discussions. You can also host group fitness sessions to build team connections.
4. Provide mental health first aid training.
Train employees, managers and leaders to recognize and respond to mental health issues and concerns. Professionally-led sessions provide teams with the skills to identify early signs of distress, offer appropriate assistance and connect colleagues to resources. Creating a culture where employees understand how to support one another results in a more caring workplace. Regular emotional support coaching ensures that health remains a priority across all levels of the organization.
5. Organize wellness challenges.
Wellness challenges encourage employees to engage in behaviors that support mental and physical health. These challenges can incorporate gamification to track steps, mindfulness streaks or hydration. A little friendly competition also increases participation and makes well-being more engaging. Incentives and team-based challenges reinforce commitment to a culture that prioritizes health.
6. Use anonymous mental health check-ins and feedback tools.
Anonymous surveys and confidential feedback tools give organizations valuable insights into employee well-being that help leadership shape effective mental health programs. Regular pulse surveys, digital suggestion boxes and one-on-one check-ins with managers and HR create employee opportunities to share concerns. Using this information can help improve mental health in the workplace.
7. Create designated quiet spaces in the office.
Dedicated quiet spaces in the workplace provide employees with a place to recharge, reduce stress and regain focus. A well-designed room or meditation corner with soft lighting, comfortable seating and noise-reducing features allows employees to step away temporarily from their workspace and relax. These spaces can also benefit neurodivergent employees, who are more likely to thrive in these quiet spaces.3
8. Encourage creative expression.
Creative outlets reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. Expressing oneself creatively helps process emotions, enhance mood, and foster a sense of accomplishment. Organizations can encourage employees to lean into their creative sides by offering art therapy, music therapy, or creative writing workshops.
9. Practice guided meditation and breathing exercises.
Guided meditation and breathing exercises reduce stress, improve focus and strengthen emotional well-being. Regular practice helps employees stay present, regulate emotions and navigate mental health challenges more effectively. Offer scheduled meditation breaks, host virtual mindfulness sessions or provide access to meditation apps.
10. Recognize and celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, but remember to keep up the momentum all year long.
Acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month reinforces your company’s commitment to employee well-being. Special events, expert-led discussions, workshops that encourage team conversations and awareness campaigns that promote the availability of mental health resources help employees become more educated about mental health.
The future of mental health activities in the workplace.
Mental health activities for employees must constantly evolve to meet employees’ changing needs. Leadership involvement, regular feedback and flexibility are key to ensuring that mental health initiatives remain effective. As workplaces shift towards a mixture of hybrid, remote and in-office work environments organizations must adapt activities to provide meaningful support across all settings.
Prioritizing mental health increases engagement, reduces turnover and enhances overall organizational success. Companies that integrate well-being into their culture create a healthier, more productive workforce.
Explore our employee well-being survey questions to gain deeper insights into your workplace’s emotional and mental health needs.
WebMD Health Services offers customized well-being programs that help organizations implement effective employee mental health activities. Request a demo today and explore strategies to create a well-supported workplace. You can also contact us at connect@webmd.net.
