Putting People First: NAMI to Observe Fifth Annual Rest Up Week

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About Mental Illness

A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.

What is Recovery

Recovery from serious mental illness is not only possible, but for many people living with mental illness today, probable. The notion of recovery involves a variety of perspectives.

In Need Of Help Or Support?

Call the NAMI Helpline Mon - Fri from 10am-10pm:

1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Or text "HELPLINE" to 62640
You can find more In Crisis information:
In Crisis Resources or email us at helpline@nami.org.

Together We Are NAMI Augusta

During Rest Up Week, NAMI closes its offices to prioritize staff well-being—while continuing to provide essential mental health support.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is once again leading by example—closing its national office from June 30 to July 4 to give all employees a full week of paid time off during its fifth annual Rest Up Week. The move reflects NAMI’s commitment to mental health in the workplace at a time when 73% of workers report burnout and fewer than one in three employers offer dedicated mental health breaks.

“At NAMI, supporting mental health starts with how we care for one another,” said Daniel H. Gillison Jr., CEO of NAMI. “Rest Up Week is about giving our team the space to recharge—because rest isn’t something extra, it’s something essential. When we make time for our people, we’re living our mission from the inside out.”

NAMI’s 2025 Workplace Mental Health Poll reveals a clear gap between employee needs and employer action—underscoring why Rest Up Week is becoming a model more organizations are starting to follow.

And Rest Up Week puts into practice a core principle of NAMI’s StigmaFree Workplace program: that mentally healthy work environments start with a culture of care. Since launching the program in 2021, NAMI has seen measurable gains in employee satisfaction and retention—results that now shape the guidance it offers through workplace consulting services.

“Mental health in the workplace isn’t optional—it’s essential,” Gillison added. “This pause is just one way we’re building a culture that truly reflects our values. When we say ‘mental health for all,’ we mean all—including those doing the work. Well-being is how we sustain impact, not what comes after.”

As more employers look to take meaningful steps toward supporting mental health, NAMI is sharing what works. On Tuesday, June 24, NAMI hosted a LinkedIn Live conversation, “Leading By Example,” to highlight practical ways organizations can build mentally healthy workplace cultures year-round. The discussion featured real-world strategies that leaders can adopt to foster a culture of care.

Organizations looking to implement similar initiatives can access free resources at nami.org/restupweek, including toolkits for creating mental health-focused workplace policies and joining NAMI’s StigmaFree Workplace program.

While offices close and social media goes silent to emphasize the importance of disconnecting, NAMI’s HelpLine will remain open to provide critical support Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, and closed on July 4. People can reach the HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting “NAMI” to 62640, visiting nami.org/help, or emailing info@nami.org. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365 by calling or texting 988 to reach a crisis counselor.

The post Putting People First: NAMI to Observe Fifth Annual Rest Up Week appeared first on National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

About Mental Illness

A mental illness is a medical condition that disrupts a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.

What is Recovery

Recovery from serious mental illness is not only possible, but for many people living with mental illness today, probable. The notion of recovery involves a variety of perspectives.

In Need Of Help Or Support?

Call the NAMI Helpline Mon - Fri from 10am-10pm:

1-800-950-NAMI (6264)

Or text "HELPLINE" to 62640
You can find more In Crisis information:
In Crisis Resources or email us at helpline@nami.org.

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