‍Here’s how to support your employees this mental health awareness month
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time that provides an opportunity for organizations to reflect on how they’re creating mentally healthy workplace cultures and supporting the wellbeing of all their employees. With mental health needs increasing, especially in today’s fast-paced work environments, employers play a critical role in creating a culture where employees feel supported, connected, and cared for. 

In the 2025 Workforce State of Mind report, we found that 58% of employees have considered quitting their job due to their mental health. That’s more than half of your workforce at risk. Given the impact that mental health can have on employee retention – in addition to absenteeism, presenteeism, and productivity – it’s important that leaders prioritize employee mental health to support the wellbeing of both employees and of the business.

At Headspace, we’ve put together a Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit to help you engage your employees this month and beyond, with information and tools to encourage mental wellbeing. Here are a few tips to get started:

‍1. Create opportunities for community and connection
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With more than 1 in 5 people worldwide feeling lonely often, according to Gallup, it’s clear that many of us are in need of human connection. Our workplaces provide a space for us to find community and connect with others – and employees are eager to build these relationships. According to the 2025 Workforce State of Mind report, the top benefits that employees said would make them more likely to stay at a job were employee-sponsored team and culture building, and professional development and upskilling. This signals a desire for opportunities to connect with others on both a personal and professional level. 

To help foster community at the workplace, organizations can support their Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) with executive sponsorship and resourcing to ensure that employees have spaces to connect with others. And, HR leaders and people managers can consider activities and events that bring people together, like group meditations, team bonding outings, and even virtual ice breakers and conversation-starters. 

2. Normalize mental health conversations at work

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, nearly half of employees worry about being judged for sharing about their mental health struggles with their colleagues. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding mental health at work can still be difficult to overcome – meaning many employees don’t feel comfortable discussing their mental wellbeing or asking for support. 

During this month – and beyond – HR leaders can take steps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by communicating regularly with employees about the value of caring for your mind. By promoting available mental health resources, sharing personal stories, and creating spaces for people to discuss their wellbeing, leaders can help employees feel more comfortable. This increased level of comfort can lead employees to be more vocal about their mental health needs and to more proactively seek out support, resulting in better health outcomes and more engagement at work.

3. Make mental health resources visible – and accessible

Your mental health benefits can only make a difference if employees know about them and feel confident accessing them. For many employees, the first place they may turn for mental health tools is to the benefits provided by their employer. Because of this, it’s important that employees have end-to-end mental health resources available that meet their needs – whether that be support from a therapist or psychiatrist, mental health coaching, or content to help them build mental resilience and reduce stress. 

It’s also important that mental health resources are easy to access. For many people, perceived or actual barriers to access – like long wait times, cost, or provider availability – can limit their ability to receive the care they need. If your current offerings aren’t meeting employees where they are, or if you want to supplement your EAP with a more proactive, flexible support, Headspace offers end-to-end mental health support with regular, engaging employee communications. 

The value of mentally healthy workplaces
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When employers invest in supporting their employees’ mental health, it benefits not only the individuals, but the business, too. When employees have the tools to care for their mental wellbeing, they’re able to show up to work more fully, creating stronger, more productive and collaborative workplaces. And, when they take advantage of proactive mental healthcare tools like mental health coaching and content, they can prevent exacerbated mental health challenges – resulting in reduced healthcare costs and happier, healthier teams.

In our new Mental Health Awareness Month toolkit, you can access free communication tools, such as digital signs and newsletter blurbs to promote employee mental health within your internal communications. And, for a limited time, you can also offer free access to select Headspace content to your employees. Download the toolkit here to get access.

Want to see how you can address today’s workforce mental health challenges and build a healthier, happier team? Reach out for a workforce mental health strategy consultation. You can also purchase Headspace Core and quickly get your team access to our guided meditations and exercises for stress, sleep, and mental resilience.

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