Led by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (11th-17th May) encourages employers to open conversations around mental wellbeing and make meaningful changes – the theme this year is take action.
For organisations it provides the opportunity to implement initiatives that genuinely support employees throughout the year.
Why mental health awareness week matters in the workplace
According to Mind, poor mental health can affect concentration, motivation, productivity and employee retention. Work-related stress, burnout and anxiety continue to impact businesses across every sector.
Mental Health Awareness Week provides a chance to:
- encourage open conversations about mental health
- reduce stigma around stress, anxiety and burnout
- educate employees on available support
- promote healthier work habits
- improve workplace culture and morale
Importantly, employees are more likely to engage when initiatives feel practical, supportive and relevant to everyday working life.
Run a workplace mental wellbeing workshop
One of the most effective ways to mark Mental Health Awareness Week is through an expert-led workshop. Workshops give employees practical tools they can apply immediately, while also showing that the organisation is investing in employee wellbeing.
Our workplace wellbeing workshops are designed to support both mental and financial wellbeing through a variety of topics. Sessions can be delivered online or in person and are tailored to different workplace environments.
Popular mental wellbeing workshop topics include:
- Mental Health First Aider Accredited Course
- Neurodiversity awareness
- Bounce Back with Resilience
- Mindfulness for Peak Performance
- SHIFT – A Line Manager’s Resource
- Menopause Awareness
- Suicide First Aid
Interactive sessions often create far greater engagement than simply sending internal emails or awareness posters.
Include financial wellbeing as part of mental health support
Financial stress is one of the biggest contributors to poor mental health. Rising living costs, debt concerns and uncertainty around retirement can all increase anxiety levels for employees.
Including financial wellbeing as part of Mental Health Awareness Week can help employers address a major root cause of stress. Financial education workshops can cover topics such as budgeting, pensions, mortgages and financial planning.
MoneyHelper reports that money worries can significantly affect mental wellbeing, sleep and workplace performance.
By combining mental wellbeing support with financial wellbeing education, employers can take a more holistic approach to employee wellbeing.
Encourage managers to start conversations
Managers play a huge role in workplace mental health. During Mental Health Awareness Week, organisations should encourage leaders to have more open and supportive conversations with their teams.
This does not mean managers need to become mental health professionals. Instead, they should feel confident in:
- checking in regularly with employees
- recognising signs of stress or burnout
- signposting support services
- creating psychologically safe environments
Create opportunities for connection
Social connection has a major impact on mental wellbeing. Mental Health Awareness Week can be a good opportunity to bring employees together in ways that feel relaxed and inclusive.
Simple ideas include:
- team walks or workplace run clubs
- wellbeing breakfasts or coffee mornings
- mindfulness or yoga sessions
- lunch-and-learn wellbeing talks
- volunteering activities
The goal is not to create forced fun, but to encourage genuine moments of connection and conversation.
Promote employee support resources
Many employees are unaware of the support already available to them. Use Mental Health Awareness Week to increase visibility around:
- mental health first aiders
- wellbeing policies
- occupational health services
- external charities and helplines
Avoid treating mental health awareness week as a one-off event
Employees quickly recognise when wellbeing initiatives are purely performative. Mental Health Awareness Week should be part of a longer-term wellbeing strategy rather than a single annual campaign.
The most effective organisations build ongoing support through:
- regular wellbeing workshops
- flexible working practices
- manager training
- clear communication
- realistic workloads
- continuous employee feedback
Long-term commitment helps create a culture where employees feel supported throughout the year, not just during awareness campaigns.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity for organisations to create meaningful conversations and provide practical support for employees. Whether through workshops, wellbeing activities or improved manager training, small actions can have a significant impact on workplace culture.
