8 Ways To Celebrate World Mental Health Day & Employee Wellbeing

World Mental Health Day is an international initiative to create awareness around and reduce the stigma of mental health issues. What does that have to do with your company? Everything! 

According to research data from the United Nations, nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from some form of mental disorder. That’s a shocking statistic. It means that some of your employees may be affected without you even knowing it. 

This is why you should be actively supporting your employees’ mental well-being. 

Want to know how to support your employees' mental and emotional wellness at work? This post outlines eight ways to celebrate World Mental Health Day & employee wellbeing. They’ll help you boost employees’ mental health, leading to happy, productive employees who cope with the challenges their job roles bring. 

What Is World Mental Health Day?

World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1992. It was introduced by the global mental health organization World Federation for Mental Health. They believe that mental health is a universal right, and since its inception, this has become a day for speaking out about mental health issues across the world. 

It has also become an occasion to find ways to support our loved ones, friends, and colleagues in their mental health journey. 

The underlying message is that everyone can face mental health issues at any time in their lives. This may be due to stress, financial difficulty, or personal hardships. By reaching out to others and letting them know they’re not alone, we can stem the tide of depression that feelings of isolation can cause.

When Is It And How Is It Celebrated?

World Mental Health Day is celebrated worldwide on the 10th of October each year. How it is commemorated differs from country to country, and some celebrate it as part of an extended awareness week. 

But the core focus of this day is always the same. Mental illness touches countless lives around the world, and it’s up to everyone to gain deeper insight into this fact of life. 

Mental health professionals, community leaders, and even business leaders have the opportunity to come together and find workable solutions. This can take the form of meetings, conferences, or lectures, but it also incorporates activities that encourage participation and camaraderie.

Why Is It Important To Celebrate World Mental Health Day? 

It's imperative to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Mental illness is not limited to any particular country, culture, or people group. According to the World Health Organization, a shocking 1 in every 8 people in the world lives with a mental disorder of some type or another.

Do the words ‘mental illness’ and ‘mental health’ conjure up specific images in your mind? The fact is mental illness can take many forms, from psychosocial difficulties to impaired cognition and depression. And it’s not easy to know when someone is suffering from these disorders just by looking at them.

But the effects of mental health struggles can be felt in our communities, schools, and, of course, the workplace where many of us spend so much time. This is why it is crucial that World Mental Health Day and other initiatives like it are given top priority in the work environment.

Why Should You Celebrate It At Work?

Celebrating this day in your workplace shows your employees that you care about more than just the work produced but also the workers making it. 

Indeed, it is your responsibility as an employer to provide a safe and supportive space for them to work. There are benefits for employers, too – such as happier, more engaged, and productive employees. 

The larger your workforce, the greater the odds that someone on your payroll suffers in silence. So, while World Mental Health Day is an essential day in the calendar, employee well-being should be a priority every day of the year. 

The workplace activities listed below are designed to honor this specific day but are just guidelines. They can easily be customized to suit your workplace's ongoing employee wellness and engagement programs.

8 Workplace Activities & Ideas To Celebrate World Mental Health Day

1. Get Your Team Involved In The Community

Get your staff involved in community work for the day. Depending on their work duties, they won’t all be able to get as involved as they’d like. But allow them an hour or two to join in on an activity where you all can give back to the community as a team.

By helping others in need, they can feel a lot better about problems they thought they had. Volunteering and charity work make people feel good about themselves while uplifting others. It benefits everybody, and all it requires is a bit of time.

If you’re stumped for ideas for community events or charitable activities to partake in, ask your staff for their input. One may know of an upcoming event or have a cause dear to their heart. The point is not the cause but the teamwork involved in contributing to a solution.

2. Organize Sociable Virtual Activities

Remote workers are especially prone to feelings of loneliness and isolation. That’s why companies are now looking at fun ways to welcome new employees virtually. If your remote workforce feels welcome and appreciated from the start, they will be less likely to feel cut off from the team.

So, on World Mental Health Day, don’t forget about these hard-working members of your organization. Arrange a virtual get-together where everyone can chat and have fun for an hour. The important thing is to NOT talk about work. It’s a time to talk about the other things that matter to them.

Need to get a tranquil team talking? Introduce a general topic, like pets or kids, and let them roll with it. Take your cue from the interests of your team members. Hobbies are also a good topic to start with. But steer the conversation away from controversial issues like religion or politics if they arise.

3. Encourage An Attitude Of Gratitude

Feelings of inadequacy or low self-esteem cause many mental health struggles. Take the time to make all your employees feel recognized, appreciated, and valued. It could be what will turn a staff member’s life around.

Encourage them to show gratitude for one another by asking each employee to find something they are grateful for in a coworker. Assign each employee a gratitude target so that no one is left out.

It can be done anonymously so everyone gets praised but isn't aware of who did the praising. Write the “I am grateful for” messages on paper and drop them into a hat, then get the team leader to pull the notes out and read them. It’s surprising how effective this is for people who need a self-esteem boost.

4. Take A Moment To Laugh

You may already be familiar with the concept of using humor for engagement. “Employee of the Month’ or Employee Appreciation Day memes are becoming quite popular in businesses of all types, even in the corporate world. 

When it comes to employee well-being and mental health, laughter often is the best medicine. It can help even the most withdrawn and timid staff member loosen up and feel like a part of the team. So, put the power of laughter to good use with a comedy session.

Improv is a fun way to incorporate humor and playfulness into a team activity. Providing them with some ‘props’ while acting out scenes will be even funnier. Let staff bring a few items to work to help them act out funny scenarios, like silly wigs or fun costumes.

5. Bring In The Experts

While this may not be as fun an activity as some others on the list, it may be the most impactful. Get a mental health professional, life coach, counselor, or similar ‘expert’ to talk to the staff in a more relaxed environment. Knowledge is the first step in fighting the adverse effects of mental illness.

Give staff the afternoon off if they stay for the talk, but do your best to prevent it from feeling like a meeting or a lecture. Put some platters of light snacks out. Provide teas and coffee. If your company has the space, hold this talk in a conference area with ample seating.

A mental health professional can explain what World Mental Health Day is all about. They will also be able to answer questions you may not be able to answer. They could leave literature there for your staff to take home and read afterward. Keep the atmosphere informative but laid-back.

6. You Can’t Beat A Retreat

You can’t beat a wellness retreat for boosting employee wellness. Of course, this may not be feasible for large corporations with hundreds and thousands of employees. However, treating the entire staff to a day of wellness activities is much easier for small businesses.

Book a yoga or meditation session or any other wellness practice you think your employees will enjoy. The experts at Harvard Health agree that meditation is beneficial for people suffering from stress or anxiety that can lead to depression. 

But even getting out and about in nature is very calming and soothing for frazzled nerves worn down by work stress. A nature retreat may be just what your most vulnerable employees need to lift their spirits and shed their stress.

7. Organize A Sports Day

Sports are an interest that many Americans share, from participating in sports on the weekend to watching it on TV. Therefore, it’s the ideal focus for an employee well-being activity on World Mental Health Day. Different departments can form teams for a fun day of miniature golf, baseball, or volleyball.

If outdoor sports are unsuitable for your employees, consider something designed for indoor fun. Bowling is a classic example. The aim is to get them moving. 

Research has shown that exercise is an excellent tool for improving mental health. According to National Library of Medicine data, exercise is key for mental health. It can reduce anxiety and depression, improve self-esteem,  and even improve cognitive function. 

8. Put Together A Wellness Or Self-Care Kit

Want to make your company’s World Mental Health Day celebration even more special? Include a wellness or self-care kit. This doesn’t have to break the bank, as you can customize its contents to fit the budget.  

With PerkUp, you have two options. You can, of course, choose the contents of your employees’ wellness hampers. Alternatively, you can let them choose by giving them the power of choice with a virtual Visa card. 

A gift card may be better, as each employee knows what will best support their mental well-being. A gift card for wellness products or services will help them nurture their mental well-being on their terms.

If you’ve decided to curate your wellness hampers but don’t know what to put in them, consider these items:

• Self-help books

• Scented or aromatherapeutic candles 

• Journaling supplies like a diary and a pen, branded with the company name

• Massage oils 

• Healthy treats

• A subscription to a mental wellness app like Calm or Headspace

How To Support Employee Mental Health All Year Round

World Mental Health Day draws attention to the importance of mental health. But it’s just one day a year and companies need to go beyond this. It’s crucial to support the mental health and well-being of your employees all year round. 

One way to do this is to do regular check-ins. These check-ins provide employees with a dedicated time and space in which they can discuss any concerns and challenges, whether they are personal or professional. This way, you can identify employee issues early on and offer timely support to those who are struggling. 

Companies should also establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). An EAP provides your employees with free support, resources, and confidential counseling services to help them when they need it. Whether they are dealing with family issues or work-related stress, an EAP can help them navigate these tough times. 

It’s also important to integrate mental health support and training into company policies and programs. Doing so reinforces the message that your employee well-being is a top priority. For example, you could offer:

• Flexible work arrangements to accommodate your employees’ personal needs

• Mental health training for managers so that they can learn to recognize signs of employee distress and provide support

• Wellness programs that promote physical activity, mindfulness, and stress management

Final Thoughts

World Mental Health Day has served an important role for decades. It has helped to lessen the stigma faced by those with mental health challenges and highlighted the need for greater understanding and support. 

The suggestions above will make World Mental Health Day a rewarding experience in your workplace. But don’t forget that for true wellness at work; you should celebrate your employees and support their wellbeing throughout the year. And you need look no further than PerkUp to make it happen!

Want to remember your employees’ work anniversaries, celebrate their milestones, honor their achievements, and reward their successes? With our vast range of products, company swag, experiences, and gift cards, every employee can be celebrated as they deserve. Book your demo today!