A Guide to Providing Accessible Mental Health Resources for Teams
Designed for Mid-level people managers in fast-paced tech startups responsible for supporting remote or hybrid teams to spark real collaboration and high-energy learning.
A 75-minute virtual session on Zoom with managers leading teams across time zones. Managers are eager to support wellbeing but feel overwhelmed by the breadth of mental health topics, unsure which resources are helpful, and fear saying the wrong thing or overstepping boundaries.
The Invisible Speed Bump
Participants are shown a quick, interactive poll: What’s the #1 reason people don’t use mental health resources? The surprising poll results are revealed live, instantly sparking curiosity and setting up the need for today’s topic.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Starting with a knowledge gap leverages curiosity and primes attention. Participants are immediately invested, eager to see how their perceptions stack up.
Busting the ‘Strong Employee’ Myth
Participants react to real, anonymized Slack messages or email snippets revealing common misconceptions, such as 'High performers don’t need support.' They vote on whether the statements are true, partially true, or false, and the facilitator unpacks the reality.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Confronting misconceptions head-on builds trust and paves the way for honest dialogue. By challenging myths, you normalize seeking support.
One-Minute Resource Hunt
Each participant has 60 seconds to silently look up and paste into chat (or jot on a sticky note) one actual mental health resource their company offers, or admit if they’re unsure. No pressure—this is about discovery, not perfection.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Low-pressure, inclusive participation gets everyone involved without fear of judgment. It also provides real data on awareness gaps.
Rapid-Fire ‘Barrier Busters’
Participants are split into breakout rooms. Each team races to list as many concrete barriers as possible (e.g., 'unclear instructions,' 'fear of manager judgment') and one creative way to overcome each. Teams rejoin and share their most surprising or bold idea.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
High-energy teamwork unlocks creativity and uncovers blockers managers might otherwise miss. Competition boosts engagement and recall.
Manager’s Dilemma: What Would You Say?
Present a realistic dilemma: A high-performing team member confides they're struggling but asks you not to tell anyone. Participants choose from three possible manager responses and discuss, in pairs, the potential impact of each choice.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Concrete, messy scenarios bridge theory and practice, forcing managers to consider nuance and real consequences.
Your Commitment Canvas
Participants privately jot down one concrete action they’ll take to make mental health resources more accessible for their team this month. Optionally, they share their commitment in a shared doc or jamboard, fostering accountability and connection.
Tap to view the full activity.
Why this works
Active reflection and commitment deepen learning and create a bridge to real behavior change.
Sign up to unlock 3 more activities
Get the full pack, facilitation flow, and more ready-to-run ideas.