10 Ways to mark Mental Health Awareness Week in 2026

A quick insight: Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity to start conversations, reduce stigma and show employees that wellbeing is taken seriously. From creative expression sessions to team walks and leader storytelling, thoughtful activities can make support visible and meaningful. This blog shares practical ideas to help organisations mark the week in impactful ways.

In 2026, Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11th to 17th May 2026.  It serves as a helpful and human reminder to open up conversations about mental health and work towards a supportive, inclusive workplace. This week is not just a date on the calendar, but an opportunity to reassess how mental health and wellbeing are handled at your company. To show your employees that they matter, and you care about them.

When it comes to mental health, our benchmark data shows that, unfortunately, only 74% of employees feel their employer is genuinely supporting their health and wellbeing. While younger employees (18-29) report a 70% satisfaction rate with workplace mental health support, this number drops to 62% among older workers aged 50-59. Clearly, mental health is still something we need to focus on and prioritise.

To make the most of Mental Health Awareness Week, here are seven meaningful ways companies can show their dedication to promoting mental wellbeing. By doing so, you can begin a purposeful journey towards long-term improvements, ensuring that mental health support becomes ingrained in your company culture rather than a one-off event.

Related: Recognising signs of stress at work

1. Host open discussions about mental health in the workplace

Simply creating spaces for open discussions about mental wellbeing can be one of the most effective ways to mark Mental Health Awareness Week. Whether through informal chats, organised group discussions or inviting a mental health speaker, providing a platform for employees to share their experiences is invaluable. These discussions serve as a reminder that mental health affects everyone, while helping break down stigma and allowing people to feel heard and supported.

Regularly hosting these discussions beyond Mental Health Awareness Week can really reinforce the message that mental health is an ongoing priority for your company. Including leadership in these conversations also sends a powerful signal to employees … that mental health is not just a “tick-box” exercise, but a priority and an important part of the company culture.

2. Introduce a mental health pledge or charter

A formal commitment, such as a mental health charter, shows employees that mental health awareness isn’t confined to one week. A pledge might include promises to offer ongoing support and take steps to reduce workplace stress. Signing such a pledge during Mental Health Awareness Week puts the initiative front-and-centre in people’s minds and shows your company’s commitment to taking real action.

3. Offer mental health days

Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect time to introduce mental health days … dedicated time off that employees can take to care for their mental wellbeing. This is a powerful gesture that tells employees their mental health is as important as their physical health. Offering mental health days gives people the chance to recharge and ultimately prevents burnout.

Not only does this benefit the individual, but it can also improve team productivity, as employees return to work feeling refreshed and supported. 

Related: Supporting mental health in emergency services: What needs to change?

4. Provide free access to mental health resources and services

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, you might want to consider introducing, or improving, access to resources such as mental health hotlines, counselling and online therapy. Many employees may hesitate to seek help due to financial constraints or stigma, so offering free resources can encourage those who need it to take that first step.

5. Launch a mental health buddy system

A mental health buddy system pairs employees with colleagues who can provide support, share experiences and create a sense of community. Such systems can be particularly valuable in large organisations where individuals may feel disconnected or unsupported.

This type of peer support encourages employees to speak up about challenges they might otherwise keep private. Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to introduce this initiative, as it allows employees to explore the benefits during a period of heightened focus on mental health. 

6. Promote mindfulness and relaxation activities

Mindfulness activities like meditation, yoga or breathing exercises can be incredibly beneficial for mental health. They help to reduce stress and improve focus. Many employees find it difficult to unwind, so Mental Health Awareness Week is a perfect time to offer these activities as part of a dedicated wellbeing programme.

Mindfulness is not only a tool for relaxation; research shows it can lead to a 12% improvement in productivity, thanks to stress reduction. Companies can offer guided meditation sessions, virtual or in-person yoga classes or even simple daily breathing exercises. Encouraging these practices beyond the week will help to create a positive work environment that prioritises mental wellbeing.

Related: 7 ways to care for the mental health of young employees

7. Gather feedback and create an ongoing mental health strategy

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week effectively, companies should aim to gather honest feedback on existing mental health support structures. A simple staff wellbeing survey can reveal how employees feel about the support they receive and what they think could improve. Use the insights gained to develop an ongoing strategy that addresses key areas of need.

Over time, this feedback can guide a company’s mental health efforts, ensuring they evolve to meet employees’ changing needs. Regularly assessing and improving mental health resources reinforces the idea that mental health support is a continuous journey. Creating this employee feedback loop encourages employees to take an active role in shaping the company’s mental health policies.

8. Staff-led creativity & expression sessions

Invite employees to express their wellbeing journeys or thoughts through creative outlets like art, writing, photography or music. Set up a gallery-style display (physical or virtual) where people can share whatever they choose. This could be paired with short reflections or commentary explaining what the piece means to them. Creative expression helps make abstract experiences tangible. It can stimulate empathy across teams, reduce stigma and give voices to perspectives that often go unheard.

9. Wellbeing-walk or “step challenge” around connection

Encourage teams to get outside or move together with a wellbeing walk or step challenge. You could have small groups exploring local parks, or doing short walking meetups between tasks. If remote or hybrid, encourage people to track steps individually and share progress (or pictures of walks). Movement supports mental health, but doing it together boosts connection. It also gives a natural pause in the day to stretch, reflect or talk, nd those small moments often make a big difference.

10. Leader vulnerability moments & storytelling

Ask senior leaders to share stories about times when their own mental health was challenged: what they found hard, what helped, what they’ve learned. This could be in a short video, an internal blog post, or during a team meeting. Seeing vulnerability from leadership helps normalise mental health conversations. It shows that struggle is ordinary, not a weakness. It invites more honesty and opens space for others to share or seek support without fear.

Marking Mental Health Awareness Week is more than just raising awareness for a single week. It’s about setting the foundation for a supportive and inclusive workplace. With only 74% of employees currently feeling supported in their mental health needs, now is the time for companies to step up and make meaningful change. Making mental health a priority isn’t just good for employees. It’s good for business too, leading to a happier, healthier and more engaged workforce.

Looking to bring about meaningful change and improve levels of employee wellbeing within your company? Contact us today for a demo and we’ll show you how employee surveys can transform company cultures.