Rest, Recharge, Renew: NAMI to Hold Sixth Annual Rest Up Week

2026-06-24 · Source: The AI Journal · Field: Health & Wellbeing — Mental Health & Psychological Support, Human Resources & Workforce Development · Depth: Fundamental Awareness, quick

Summary

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is holding its sixth annual Rest Up Week from June 29 to July 3, 2026, closing its national office to provide employees a full week of paid time off. This initiative underscores NAMI's commitment to workplace well-being, responding to research indicating 53% of U.S. employees experience job-related burnout. NAMI's 2026 Workplace Mental Health Poll further reveals that only 54% of employees perceive mental health as a company priority, and nearly one in three managers feel inadequately resourced to support their teams' mental health. Rest Up Week exemplifies how employers can foster a culture of caring and support, aligning with NAMI's StigmaFree Workplace initiative. While the office is closed, the NAMI HelpLine will maintain its normal operating hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Thursday, July 2.

Key takeaway

For HR Professionals evaluating employee well-being strategies, NAMI's Rest Up Week demonstrates a tangible approach to combating burnout. You should consider implementing dedicated paid time off for collective rest, mirroring NAMI's commitment to a supportive culture. This initiative directly addresses the 53% burnout rate among U.S. employees, reinforcing that employee care is vital for mission success. Explore NAMI's StigmaFree Workplace initiative for guidance on fostering mentally healthy environments.

Key insights

Prioritizing employee mental health through dedicated rest and a supportive culture is crucial for organizational mission advancement.

Principles

• Rest is a vital part of well-being, not a reward.
• Caring for employees is essential to mission advancement.
• Mentally healthy workplaces require a culture of caring and support.

Method

Implement a dedicated "Rest Up Week" with paid time off while ensuring continued access to essential support resources.

In practice

• Offer paid time off for employee rest and recharge.
• Join the NAMI StigmaFree Workplace initiative.
• Host discussions on building mentally healthy cultures.

Topics

• Employee Well-being
• Workplace Mental Health
• Burnout Prevention
• Paid Time Off
• NAMI
• StigmaFree Workplace Initiative

Best for: HR Professional, Operations Professional, Consultant

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by The AI Journal.