National Alliance on Mental Illness: Embracing Rest Up Week for Mental Wellness in Employees

NAMI’s Commitment to Mental Health

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is proud to announce the celebration of its sixth annual Rest Up Week, scheduled for June 29 to July 3, 2026. This initiative reflects NAMI's dedication to fostering a supportive work environment that prioritizes the mental health of its employees. Throughout this week, NAMI will close its offices, providing team members with a much-needed paid break to relax and recharge. This decision aligns with research indicating that over half of U.S. employees report feelings of burnout due to job-related stress, underlining the necessity of such wellness initiatives.

Understanding the Impact of Workplace Stress

According to a recent poll conducted by NAMI, which surveyed workplace mental health, a stark reality emerges: only 54% of employees feel that their organizations prioritize mental health adequately. Even more alarming is the fact that about one-third of managerial staff believes that their companies lack sufficient resources to promote mental and emotional health within their teams. This gap highlights an urgent need for initiatives like Rest Up Week, which showcases how organizations can better support their employees' mental health.

A Culture of Care and Support

Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., the CEO of NAMI, emphasizes that actualizing mental health support is rooted in creating a culture that encourages rest and renewal. He states, "At NAMI, we understand that supporting mental health involves fostering an environment where our team can recharge and bring their best selves to work. Rest Up Week underlines this commitment. By encouraging our staff to take time for themselves, we underscore the importance of caring for our people in fulfilling our mission."

NAMI believes that nurturing a mentally healthy workplace is achieved through ongoing support, understanding, and compassion among colleagues. This ethos is an essential component of NAMI’s StigmaFree Workplace initiative.

Rest as a Fundamental Component of Well-being

Rest is frequently mischaracterized as a reward; however, Gillison asserts that it is a fundamental aspect of well-being. He points out, "The observance of Rest Up Week serves as a reminder that taking the time to recharge is crucial and reinforces our commitment to the health of our team, as well as to the core values that power our mission."

The organization is making strides toward exploring effective means of supporting mental health in various sectors. On June 10, NAMI's workplace mental health team hosted a LinkedIn Live event focused on practical strategies to cultivate mentally healthy work cultures throughout the year. This session provided answers to many pressing questions from both employers and employees regarding the prioritization of mental health in various workplaces.

How Organizations Can Participate

Entities interested in adopting similar wellbeing-friendly practices are urged to explore the resources available through NAMI’s StigmaFree Workplace program. More information is accessible at nami.org/restupweek.

Ongoing Support During the Rest Up Week

Even though the NAMI National office will be closed for the duration of Rest Up Week, the NAMI HelpLine remains operational at regular hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET from June 29 to July 2, and will be closed on July 3. Individuals seeking support can reach the HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting "NAMI" to 62640, or emailing [email protected].

NAMI stands as the largest grassroots mental health organization in the nation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Join NAMI's commitment to change by participating in or promoting mental health initiatives.

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