Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Time for Action in the Workplace
BLOG POST WRITTEN BY Wendy Garrett of Garrett Learning
This year’s theme is ‘Time for Action’.
It’s those small actions with good intentions that will have a meaningful and lasting effect.
We’d like to share some ideas of what you and your organisation could do to take ‘Time for Action’, with the focus of looking after yourself, someone else and all of us: On a personal and professional level.
For yourself:
The airplane analogy of ‘put your own mask on first’ exists because it rings true for so many. It is so important to look after ourselves before we can safely look after others.
Please take a moment to pause and think about the following questions:
● How do you look after yourself?
● What is missing from your life right now?
● Is there something you can introduce into your life/routine to aid your health and wellbeing?
Self-care looks different for everyone and what we need changes over time. It doesn’t have to be a big and extravagant action; it could be something small and significant. For example:
● A 10-minute walk
● Drinking your cuppa outside for 5 minutes and listening to the birds
● Eating lunch away from your normal place as a change of scenery can be good for us
● Working on a jigsaw
● Take some deep breaths
● Moving our body in some way
● Talking to someone you trust
● Watching something you’ve been meaning to watch
● Listen to a meditation (I recommend the free app: Insight Timer)
● Taking a moment to read before bed instead of scrolling on our phone (guilty of this!)
● or simply don’t do anything..
For me, the return of the Formula One season is a perfect example of intentional rest – a slower Sunday, a home-cooked roast, and time to switch off.
What is one thing you can do for yourself this week?
For someone else:
Small actions can have a ripple effect.
Such as taking a moment to check in with a colleague, sending a quick message to a friend and a recent idea I came across in the book ‘Make It Happen’ was to smile at people as you pass them and notice what happens. Often, you’ll receive a smile back and even if you don’t, that small act still matters.
These are all simple but meaningful ways to support others.
I’m also a big advocate of Action for Happiness https://actionforhappiness.org/ who share monthly calendars full of simple daily actions. These encourage us to be more mindful, connected and intentional, whether that’s for ourselves or others.
In workplaces, taking ‘Time for Action’ is about creating a culture where people feel comfortable checking in, speaking up and supporting each other without repercussions. However, for this to happen consistently, employees, especially our People Managers need the confidence and skills to have those conversations.
For all of us:
When we think about workplace wellbeing, action goes beyond awareness days. It’s about creating environments where people feel safe, supported and able to thrive.
One of the most effective ways to start is by bringing people together.
In a previous organisation, I helped form a small wellbeing group made up of people from different departments and backgrounds. We also invited a senior leader to join, which helped us connect ideas with decision-making.
That group didn’t have all the answers – but it didn’t need to.
Together, we:
● Launched employee wellbeing surveys to understand real needs
● Created a clear plan (and secured a budget) for wellbeing initiatives
● Introduced Mental Health First Aider training and ongoing support
● Raised awareness through internal communications and shared stories
● Promoted support services like EAPs and workplace benefits
● Identified skills gaps and supported internal development
● Delivered training on unconscious bias, diversity & inclusion
● Redesigned 1:1 meetings to be more human, open and impactful
What made the difference wasn’t just the initiatives, it was the quality of conversations happening across the organisation.
From awareness to action: What’s next?
Many organisations already care deeply about employee wellbeing. The opportunity now is to take that one step further by focusing on:
1. Equipping our People Managers
Managers are at the heart of employee experience however many haven’t been trained to handle sensitive or wellbeing-related conversations.
Through management training and coaching, our People Managers can:
● Build confidence in having meaningful conversations
● Recognise early signs that someone may be struggling
● Create psychologically safe team environments
● Balance empathy with performance
2. Embedding wellbeing into everyday culture
Structured Mental Health training programmes from Awareness, to implementing MHFAiders or training to equip our People Managers with an understanding and impact of poor mental health in the workplace will help move organisations from being reactive to support and proactive. Supporting our people at work improves productivity, efficiency and helps to retain our people.
3. Supporting your wellbeing champions
Wellbeing ambassadors and Mental Health First Aiders play a vital role in supporting your team, however they also need ongoing support.
Regular check-in sessions provide:
● A safe space to share experiences and challenges
● Continued learning and development
● Peer support and fresh ideas
● Sustained momentum beyond awareness weeks
At Garrett Learning, we offer this monthly ongoing support as a complimentary service.
Taking ‘Time for Action’ doesn’t mean doing everything at once. It means:
● Understanding what’s needed
● Starting meaningful conversations
● Taking small, intentional steps that builds over time
Whether that’s supporting your people managers, strengthening your wellbeing strategy or creating space for your wellbeing champions to connect, every action contributes to a healthier, more resilient workplace.
At Garrett Learning, we support organisations to turn wellbeing intentions into meaningful action through:
● People management training and 1:1 coaching
● Workplace mental health and wellbeing programmes, including Mental Health First Aid training
● Monthly Workplace Wellbeing Champion check-in sessions
● Bespoke training tailored to your organisation
If you’d like to explore what this could look like for your organisation, you can book an informal chat or reach out directly. Book in a chat HERE
If you’re a MHFAider, wellbeing ambassador, in HR or a People Manager, you’re welcome to join the complimentary monthly online support service with Garrett Learning – find out more here
To learn more about this year’s theme, visit the Mental Health Foundation.
