World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week: Team Event Ideas Built Around Connection
By Nistha Trehun, founder of Kitty Party in Berlin. Workplace Happiness Coach and certified Laughter Yoga Leader. 300+ team events for 50,000+ people over more than seven years, including teams at Google, Meta, LinkedIn and Amazon.
A note before you plan
Awareness days are a good reason to start a conversation, and an event can be a friendly way to do that. If someone in your team needs support, the right place is a doctor, a therapist or your company's employee assistance programme. A team event works best as an addition to these resources, never as a replacement. We always recommend sharing your company's support options in the invitation.
Team event ideas for World Mental Health Month
1. A laughter break
Laughter yoga is a short, playful session where the whole team laughs together, first on purpose and then for real. It takes 15 to 45 minutes, works online and onsite, and needs no experience or special clothes.
2. A happiness workshop
An interactive session on small, practical habits for more joy at work, such as gratitude, kindness and noticing what goes well. It is hosted by a Workplace Happiness Coach and works for remote and office teams.
3. Cook or mix something together
A live cooking class or a mocktail and warm drink workshop gives people something to do with their hands and an easy reason to talk. Food is one of the oldest ways to bring people together.
4. A calm creative activity
Block printing, bouquet making or colouring are quiet, creative formats where everyone makes something to take home. They suit teams who prefer a slower pace.
5. Short breaks during a conference or offsite
If your team meets in person, short guided breaks with breathing, stretching or a laughter round can be built into the programme between sessions.
6. A team conversation with a simple structure
Ask colleagues to share one small thing that made them smile this week. Keep it optional and light. Nobody should feel they have to share something personal.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Different countries mark Mental Health Awareness Week at different times of the year. In the United States, the first full week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week, and in the UK the Mental Health Foundation runs its awareness week in May. If your team is international, choose one date and use the same simple idea: a shared moment for everyone.
Tips for a respectful event
Keep it voluntary. Joining should feel like an invitation, not an obligation.
Avoid pressure to share. Light, positive prompts work better than deep personal questions.
Share support options in the invitation, such as your employee assistance programme.
Choose an inclusive format. Food, music and laughter work across cultures and languages.
Plan more than one moment. A small, regular break often means more to a team than one big event a year.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kitty Party offer mental health support? No. We are a team events and workplace happiness business. Our events are about connection, joy and time together. For mental health support, please speak to a qualified professional.
How long should the event be? Between 5 and 120 minutes. Short formats are easier to fit into a busy workday.
Can the event be online? Yes. All formats above can be hosted live online for remote and hybrid teams, and onsite in Berlin.
Would you like to mark World Mental Health Day with your team? Tell us about your event and we will suggest a format.