MENTAL HEALTH WEEK AT WORK
Mental Health Week activities for employees
Plan a shared break for Mental Health Week, Mental Health Awareness Month or World Mental Health Day. Explore simple workplace activities, including chair yoga in Toronto and the GTA or live online for remote teams.
Plan a sessionMental Health Week · May
World Mental Health Day · October 10
A MENTAL HEALTH WEEK BOOKING
We booked Inna for Mental Health Week, and she did an amazing job leading 2 chair yoga sessions
Tony Ngo-Nguyen
Excerpt from a Google review
Read our Google reviewsMental Health Week activities at work
These activity ideas can work for office, remote and hybrid teams. Choose a few that fit your schedule, give people time to take part and make participation optional.
A shared chair yoga break
Set aside 30 minutes for gentle chair stretches, breathing and optional meditation. Everyone can join from the office or online, in the clothes they’re already wearing.
Explore event sessionsA few quiet minutes
Give people a short, meeting-free pause. They might step away from their screens, sit quietly or choose a guided meditation. Let each person decide how to use the time.
A screen-free catch-up
Offer an optional coffee break or a short walk with a colleague. Keep it informal, with a seated option for anyone who prefers it. There’s no need to ask people to share personal experiences.
A reminder of available support
Make the support your organization offers easy to find. Share clear links to benefits, employee assistance resources and the current CMHA Mental Health Week materials.
Find CMHA resourcesA SIMPLE WEEK PLAN
A simple Mental Health Week plan
Spread a few small activities across the week instead of asking everyone to clear a full day. This is a starting point—adjust it to your team’s schedule and preferences.
For World Mental Health Day, choose one shared activity and make sure people have the time to join.
Mental Health Awareness Month ideas for work
If your organization marks Mental Health Awareness Month in May, spread the activities across four weeks. Share support resources in week one, make time for connection in week two, offer a guided movement break in week three, then ask what people would like to keep.
For remote or hybrid teams, offer a live online session and a choice of times when needed. Keep joining details short and give employees room in their calendars to take part.
MON
Start with useful resources
Share what’s available through your workplace and explain the week’s optional activities.
TUE
Make time to connect
Offer a relaxed coffee break or a short walk, with room for people to join in their own way.
WED
Move together
Bring the team together for a live, 30-minute chair yoga session.
THU
Protect a quiet break
Leave a little space in the calendar for a screen-free pause.
FRI
Ask what people enjoyed
Invite brief, optional feedback and choose one activity to carry into the following weeks.
BRING YOUR TEAM TOGETHER
A guided break, right from your chair.
Our instructors lead chair stretches and breathing exercises, with meditation if you’d like to include it. No mats, change of clothes or yoga experience needed.
Join in person in Toronto and the GTA, or bring colleagues together online. We can discuss more than one session if your team needs different times to take part.
Ask about Mental Health WeekA few details help us plan.
Tell us your preferred date, group size, session length and whether you’ll meet in person or online. We’ll confirm availability and discuss a session that fits.
- Set aside the time during the workday.
- Share the setup and joining details beforehand.
- Keep participation optional.
- Let us know about your group’s access needs.
Looking for a regular break? Explore classes and pricing.
FAQ
When is Mental Health Week in Canada?
CMHA’s Mental Health Week takes place in May, with dates and a theme announced for each year. Check the current CMHA campaign before sending your invitations.
What activities can we plan for World Mental Health Day at work?
World Mental Health Day is October 10. You could offer a shared chair yoga break, time for an optional walk or coffee, and clear information about workplace support. Choose one activity employees can comfortably join. Utkata sessions can be booked on the day or during the surrounding workweek, subject to availability.
What virtual Mental Health Week activities work for remote teams?
Virtual Mental Health Week activities can include live chair yoga, a short guided meditation or a screen-free break. Our online chair yoga sessions work for remote and hybrid teams. Participants need a stable chair and enough room to move comfortably. See our virtual corporate yoga sessions for more details.
What does a chair yoga session include?
Our instructors guide gentle chair stretches and breathing exercises, with optional meditation. A 30-minute session includes the introduction and closing. Longer event workshops can be discussed when you inquire.
Do employees need yoga experience or special clothes?
No yoga experience, mats or change of clothes are needed. Participants can choose the movements that feel comfortable and take a break whenever they prefer. Tell us about any access needs when planning your session.
Can we book chair yoga for Mental Health Awareness Month?
Yes. You can book one session or discuss a series of chair yoga breaks across the month. Share your preferred dates, group size and whether you’ll meet in person in Toronto or the GTA, or online. We’ll confirm availability and provide a quote.
What are some free or low-cost Mental Health Week activities?
A screen-free break, an optional walking or coffee catch-up, and sharing existing workplace support resources can be arranged without hiring a facilitator. Keep the activities short and give employees time to join. If you’d like an instructor-led chair yoga session, tell us your group size and preferred format so we can provide a quote.
