The following list contains ideas to promote Stress and Mental Health in the workplace. This list is not all-inclusive, but is a starting point.  Be creative and target your events to the employees' needs. Mix and match ideas, incorporate other health topics into your event, and use a variety of ideas to reach everyone!

	Pay Stub Messages / Email Attachments Include tips on stress and mental health (e.g. relaxation techniques, physical activity as a stress relief, etc.) on employee pay stubs. Also, include details of upcoming events or contests which promote stress and mental health within company-wide emails.
	Lunch and Learn Invite a guest speaker to present a “Lunch and Learn” workshop addressing stress or mental healthy. For example: • Invite a guest speaker from the Canadian Mental Health Association or other qualified community agency to present information on: mental health challenges facing Canadians; how to recognize the signs and symptoms of common mental illnesses; enhancing coping skills; and helping managers, supervisors, and employees become part of the solution in reducing the stigma of mental health.
	Keep Health In Mind Health Fair Invite organizations to provide materials and introduce employees to theme-related issues. Organizations and professionals could include the Canadian Mental Health Association, Centre For Addiction and Mental Health, Teen Health Centre, Council On Aging, Moods Disorders Association of Ontario, or the National Eating Disorder Information Centre.
	Online Treasure Hunt Challenge Set up a Treasure Hunt Challenge over the Internet. Select key mental health websites and choose various words, phrases, sentences, and facts from their site for employees to locate. Create a list of clues that will lead them from one site to another. This is a great way to encourage staff to learn about mental illnesses and mood disorders by becoming familiar with key websites that are related to the initiative.
	Puzzle Game Day Host a Game Day for employees with a variety of short puzzles that can be completed individually or in teams for a chance to win prizes. Games could include jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku puzzles, or rubix cubes. Or, invite employees to form teams to see who can build the tallest structure out of popsicle sticks, straws, or other basic materials. For an extended challenge, consider organizing a chess tournament, or have staff work in teams to put together a 10, 000 piece puzzle. Award prizes to the individual or team who wins the tournament or who puts the puzzle together the fastest.
	Humour in the Workplace It is often said that laughter is the best medicine. Promote humour as a stress reliever through workplace with any of the following ideas: • Investigate the possibility of bringing in a Certified Laughter Leader or Humourist to discuss the mental and physical health benefits of laughter. • Reserve an area where employees can sit and view slapstick comedies such as Laurel and Hardy, Three Stooges, or classic sitcoms such as I Love Lucy, Cheers and Seinfeld during breaks or on lunch. Workplaces can also prepare and offer healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat popcorn or muffins. • Consider organizing a group outing to a local comedy club. In addition to a fun, humorous evening, a group outing encourages social interaction between employees and their families.
	Morale Boosters Encourage employees, at all levels of the organization, to show their fellow co-workers that they are valued by suggesting any one of the following ideas: • Send a handwritten note to at least one co-worker during a designated workweek. The notes can be as simple as small post-it notes or more elaborate like a printed card. The notes can be delivered directly or individuals can remain anonymous by setting up a designated “drop off” box. • Display appropriate cartoons and humorous writings on a bulletin board posted in a common location for all staff to view. Research shows that most productive workplaces enjoy about 10 minutes of laughter every hour. • Have a “4 A’s” jar (Acknowledge, Appreciate, Affirm, Assure). Keep it filled with uplifting thoughts for anyone who needs one. You may also give these jars as gifts to your employees with one positive thought for every day of the year. • Form a spirit committee and have them design a plan to incorporate some of these things into your workplace, or use the creative efforts of the committee to generate some new ideas.
	What’s your hobby? Learn more about your coworkers by having a “hobby fair” during the lunch hour or after work. Invite employees to bring examples of their hobby (e.g. a plant they have cultivated from a seed, the camera they use to photograph scenery, the squash racquet they use in a mixed squash league) as well as information for those who may be interested in trying it out. Encourage employees to share their talents by holding workshops or demonstrations.