TL;DR The guide outlines strategies for HR professionals to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, such as hosting workshops, enhancing support systems, and promoting workplace flexibility to support mental well-being.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to spotlight the importance of mental well-being in our lives and workplaces. For HR professionals, this month offers a prime opportunity to enhance mental health support systems and educate employees about mental health care and resources. This guide is tailored to help you, the stewards of workplace well-being, plan and execute meaningful activities that promote mental health.
Create a toolkit of resources for Mental Health Awareness Month, including workshops on recognizing the warning signs of mental illness and managing stressors effectively. Partner with health care providers or organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or Mental Health America to deliver these sessions, ensuring they are evidence-based and informative.
Utilize your company’s social media platforms to share information about mental health conditions, self-care tips, and the availability of mental health services. This not only educates but also helps in destigmatizing mental health challenges among Americans, including young adults, older adults, and caregivers.
Invite employees who are comfortable sharing their journeys related to mental health challenges, including those involving substance use disorder or experiences with mental health crises. Stories from family members or loved ones who have supported others can also be powerful. This can be done through blog posts on your company webpage or featured segments in internal newsletters.
Organize panels with psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals to discuss topics like suicide prevention and the intersection of physical health and mental well-being. Make sure to include information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other hotlines and referral services available.
Watch now: Mental Health: Legal or Social Responsibility? | Disclo Webinar with the Commission of the EEOC
Audit your current mental health benefits to ensure they meet the needs of your employees, including access to mental health care, support for substance abuse, and resources for children’s mental health. Highlight these benefits in communications, emphasizing services like the national helpline and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) resources.
Train volunteers to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis and provide initial support until professional help can be obtained. This initiative can be a part of your organization’s broader advocacy and suicide prevention strategy.
Recognize the stressors of the modern workplace and introduce flexible working arrangements, where possible, to support mental wellness. This could include telecommuting options, which have become particularly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promote activities that support both mental and physical health, such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, and regular physical exercise. Highlight how these activities can help manage stress and contribute to overall well-being.
Establish awards or recognition programs for individuals who champion mental health initiatives, participate in outreach, or support their peers through challenges. This not only rewards efforts but also encourages a culture of openness and support.
Read now: Mental Health in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide | Disclo Resource
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let's commit to making mental health a priority in our workplaces. By educating, supporting, and empowering our employees, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Share how you are transforming your workplace this Mental Health Awareness Month. Connect with us through our social media channels (LinkedIn and Instagram) to exchange ideas and practices. Remember, in fostering mental well-being at work, you are not alone.
Lastly, to effectively celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month at your workplace, here are some excellent resources and initiatives from trusted organizations like Mental Health America (MHA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Built by 2x disability-focused founders, the software is a workplace ADA and PWFA accommodations platform for companies focused on making workplaces inclusive for everyone. Disclo is a HIPAA-compliant platform that requests, tracks, and manages workplace accommodations—all in one place. Disclo makes handling accommodations seamless by combining automation, in-app medical e-verification, out-of-the-box analytics (so you can auto-track against EEOC and ADA standards), and the ability to connect to any HRIS and ATS with pre-built integrations. Strengthen workplace inclusivity and future-proof ADA and PWFA processes while establishing a digital paper trail for your organization. Learn more at disclo.com/demo.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an important time to spotlight the importance of mental well-being in our lives and workplaces. For HR professionals, this month offers a prime opportunity to enhance mental health support systems and educate employees about mental health care and resources. This guide is tailored to help you, the stewards of workplace well-being, plan and execute meaningful activities that promote mental health.
Create a toolkit of resources for Mental Health Awareness Month, including workshops on recognizing the warning signs of mental illness and managing stressors effectively. Partner with health care providers or organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or Mental Health America to deliver these sessions, ensuring they are evidence-based and informative.
Utilize your company’s social media platforms to share information about mental health conditions, self-care tips, and the availability of mental health services. This not only educates but also helps in destigmatizing mental health challenges among Americans, including young adults, older adults, and caregivers.
Invite employees who are comfortable sharing their journeys related to mental health challenges, including those involving substance use disorder or experiences with mental health crises. Stories from family members or loved ones who have supported others can also be powerful. This can be done through blog posts on your company webpage or featured segments in internal newsletters.
Organize panels with psychologists, counselors, and other mental health professionals to discuss topics like suicide prevention and the intersection of physical health and mental well-being. Make sure to include information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other hotlines and referral services available.
Watch now: Mental Health: Legal or Social Responsibility? | Disclo Webinar with the Commission of the EEOC
Audit your current mental health benefits to ensure they meet the needs of your employees, including access to mental health care, support for substance abuse, and resources for children’s mental health. Highlight these benefits in communications, emphasizing services like the national helpline and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) resources.
Train volunteers to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis and provide initial support until professional help can be obtained. This initiative can be a part of your organization’s broader advocacy and suicide prevention strategy.
Recognize the stressors of the modern workplace and introduce flexible working arrangements, where possible, to support mental wellness. This could include telecommuting options, which have become particularly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Promote activities that support both mental and physical health, such as yoga, mindfulness sessions, and regular physical exercise. Highlight how these activities can help manage stress and contribute to overall well-being.
Establish awards or recognition programs for individuals who champion mental health initiatives, participate in outreach, or support their peers through challenges. This not only rewards efforts but also encourages a culture of openness and support.
Read now: Mental Health in the Workplace: A Comprehensive Guide | Disclo Resource
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, let's commit to making mental health a priority in our workplaces. By educating, supporting, and empowering our employees, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Share how you are transforming your workplace this Mental Health Awareness Month. Connect with us through our social media channels (LinkedIn and Instagram) to exchange ideas and practices. Remember, in fostering mental well-being at work, you are not alone.
Lastly, to effectively celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month at your workplace, here are some excellent resources and initiatives from trusted organizations like Mental Health America (MHA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
Built by 2x disability-focused founders, the software is a workplace ADA and PWFA accommodations platform for companies focused on making workplaces inclusive for everyone. Disclo is a HIPAA-compliant platform that requests, tracks, and manages workplace accommodations—all in one place. Disclo makes handling accommodations seamless by combining automation, in-app medical e-verification, out-of-the-box analytics (so you can auto-track against EEOC and ADA standards), and the ability to connect to any HRIS and ATS with pre-built integrations. Strengthen workplace inclusivity and future-proof ADA and PWFA processes while establishing a digital paper trail for your organization. Learn more at disclo.com/demo.
