Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is an annual event that aims to promote health awareness and wellbeing, Each year, Mental Health Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the growing need for better mental wellbeing support at work. The responsibility to create a healthier workplace shouldn’t stop when the week ends. With mental health now recognised as a crucial part of employee engagement and performance, it’s vital for organisations to take meaningful steps to support their people.
By participating in Mental Health Awareness Week, individuals can gain a better understanding of mental health issues, learn how to support others, and develop strategies for maintaining good mental health.
At Activ People HR, we believe HR professionals are at the heart of this mission. Mental Health Awareness Week is an initiative focused on raising awareness of mental health issues and promoting overall mental wellbeing.
Mental health challenges are one of the leading causes of absenteeism and lost productivity, yet many signs go unnoticed until it’s too late. That’s why prevention, visibility, and proactive support must be built into your HR strategy year-round. Here’s how your business can play a role in preventing mental health issues.
Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall wellbeing, and it’s essential to prioritise it in our daily lives. Good mental health is crucial for maintaining positive relationships, achieving our goals, and living a fulfilling life. It can affect anyone, regardless of their background, age, or socioeconomic status. That’s why it’s essential to raise awareness this Mental Health Awareness Week and provide support to those struggling with mental health issues. Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is an annual event that aims to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma around it. It encourages people to talk about their mental health and seek help if needed, fostering a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences and gain support systems.
By promoting mental health awareness week, we can create a positive community that values emotional support, mutual support, and open conversations. This collective effort helps individuals feel supported and understood, making it easier to navigate life’s challenges and maintain good mental health.
Importance of Community
Community plays a vital role in supporting mental health and wellbeing, providing individuals with a sense of belonging and connection. Strong social connections and community participation are essential for maintaining good mental health, as they offer emotional support, companionship, and a sense of safety.
Communities can provide a supportive environment where individuals can navigate life’s challenges, share their experiences, and gain valuable advice and support. Physical activity, volunteering, and social connections are all essential components of a healthy community that can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Meaningful relationships and community participation can help individuals cope with mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. By fostering a sense of community, we can create a positive and supportive environment that values mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. It provides a vital support system for individuals struggling with mental health issues.
Supporting Young People
Young people are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, and it’s essential to provide them with the support and resources they need in the workplace. Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 is an opportunity to focus on the mental health and wellbeing of young people, providing them with a platform to share their experiences and gain support.
By supporting young people’s mental health, we can help them develop the skills and resilience they need to thrive in life, reducing the risk of mental health problems and promoting overall wellbeing. It’s essential to create a supportive environment where young people feel safe and supported, encouraging them to talk about their mental health and seek help if needed.
Spotting the Early Signs of Mental Health Challenges
Mental health issues rarely come out of nowhere. Often, they’re preceded by small changes in behaviour or work patterns. Here are some common signs to look out for in your team:
- Frequent or patterned absences (e.g. regular sick days on Mondays or Fridays)
- Increased lateness or leaving early
- Drop in performance or missed deadlines
- Withdrawal from team interaction
- Visible stress or fatigue
- Irritability or sudden mood changes
- Avoidance of responsibility
- Physical complaints with no clear cause
- Overworking or skipping breaks
- Not using annual leave
When unnoticed, these can lead to burnout, disengagement, and long-term absence.
Why Mental Health Needs to Be a Workplace Priority
According to recent reports from the CIPD, mental health-related absence remains one of the top causes of long-term sickness in UK workplaces. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are no longer isolated issues and they’re impacting productivity, morale, and retention. However, with the right tools and proactive strategies, employers can make a real difference and provide the right support their employees need. Use Mental Health Awareness Week to focus on the making a real difference for your staff.
5 Ways HR Teams Can Promote Mental Health at Work
1. Create Space for Conversations
Encourage regular one-to-ones between managers and team members to check in with workload and wellbeing. Normalising mental health conversations reduces stigma and shows employees that support is available.
2. Track Absence Patterns Compassionately
Mental health issues often show up in patterns of absence. With Activ People HR’s absence management tools, HR teams can spot trends early and respond with empathy and tailored support, rather than letting issues escalate.
3. Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Encourage employees to take their annual leave and avoid excessive overtime. Our HR software makes it easy for staff to book time off and for managers to ensure team cover, helping prevent burnout before it begins.
4. Offer Access to Mental Health Resources
Signpost support services like EAPs (Employee Assistance Programmes), mental health first aiders, or external charities. Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to highlight what’s already available and ask employees what else they might need.
5. Use Data to Make Better Decisions
Activ People HR gives you real-time insight into absence, engagement, and trends across your workforce. With this data, you can spot pressure points and tailor your wellbeing strategy accordingly.
Lead by Listening
The most supportive workplaces are the ones where employees feel heard. This Mental Health Awareness Week, take the opportunity to ask your team: What would improve your wellbeing at work?
It could be more flexible hours. Better support during busy periods. Or simply the reassurance that it’s okay to not be okay.
Supporting Your Wellbeing Strategy
At Activ People HR, we help employers take a proactive, people-first approach to wellbeing. From absence tracking to performance reviews and policy management, our software is designed to make HR simple, human, and effective. Because when you support your people, they can do their best work.
How Activ People HR Helps Spot Issues Early
You don’t need to wait until a problem becomes critical. With Activ People HR, your managers and HR teams can get ahead of issues by using real-time data and insights:
Track Absence Trends – See patterns in unplanned leave and trigger early interventions.
Monitor Timekeeping – Spot consistent lateness or early finishes.
Balance Workloads – Use dashboards to prevent overworking and burnout.
Promote Leave Usage – Track holiday balances and encourage downtime.
Standardise RTW Conversations – Ensure sensitive, supportive return-to-work processes after absence.
When employees feel seen and supported, they’re more likely to open up, so you can offer the help they need.
What You Can Do to Prevent Mental Health Issues
Alongside using the right tools, your culture and leadership practices play a vital role in creating a mentally healthy workplace. Here’s what we recommend:
1. Foster a Culture of Openness
Encourage regular check-ins, not just about performance but about wellbeing. Normalise talking about mental health without judgment.
2. Train Mental Health First Aiders
Equip staff with the knowledge to support peers and recognise when someone may need help.
3. Encourage Time Off
Create an environment where employees feel safe taking leave and prioritising self-care.
4. Be Flexible When It Matters
Support flexible working and adjustments when needed, this builds trust and prevents burnout.
Let’s make this Mental Health Awareness Week matter. Want to learn how Activ People HR can help you support your team? Book a free demo today.
