At Chorus, we know that supporting mental health is essential for the care teams providing the care, just as much as it is for the communities our customers serve.  

This May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the deep connection between staff wellbeing and sustainable care delivery. When care teams are supported, client outcomes improve, programs thrive, and communities feel the impact.

Whether you're looking to engage your internal teams, enrich your behavioral health programs, or spark new ideas for the future, here are some evidence-backed ways to make mental health support part of everyday practice.

5 Ideas to Promote Mental Health and Sustainable Care

Each week this May, we're focusing on one key area tied to long-term wellbeing—with ideas that can be adapted across your teams, programs, and communities.

Week 1: Physical Wellbeing

Move your body, refresh your mind.

Physical activity plays a major role in reducing depression, anxiety, and burnout symptoms (CDC, 2023). Even short bursts of movement can refresh energy and improve focus.

Ideas to try:

• Organize walking meetings or movement breaks during long shifts
• Launch a “Move for Your Mind” step challenge
• Host outdoor yoga or group fitness classes
• Partner with a local gym or wellness group for community sessions
  
  

Week 2: Creativity & Play

Make space for joy and expression.

Creative expression has been shown to lower stress hormones and foster emotional resilience (NIH, 2018).

Ideas to try:

• Offer art therapy or expressive arts workshops
• Host open mic nights or music jam sessions
  
• Set up a traveling creativity cart (art supplies, journals, games)
• Introduce a "Creativity Hour" where staff and clients can create freely without an agenda
  
  

Week 3: Reflection & Mindfulness

Slow down to sustain the work.

Mindfulness practices have been shown to reduce psychological distress and compassion fatigue among behavioral health professionals (NIH, 2018).

Ideas to try:

• Start meetings with a one-minute grounding or breathing exercise
• Create a quiet space in offices or facilities for reflection
• Host virtual or in-person mindfulness workshops
• Share a weekly mindfulness challenge (e.g., mindful eating, mindful walking)
  
  

Week 4: Self-Care Planning

Treat self-care like a system, not an afterthought.

Structured self-care planning improves resilience and job satisfaction among behavioral health and healthcare workers (Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 2020).

Ideas to try:

• Facilitate burnout prevention planning workshops
• Provide staff with self-care toolkits (journals, gratitude prompts, checklists)
• Host peer-led support groups focused on sharing sustainable self-care practices
• Integrate brief self-assessments into staff check-ins
  
  

Week 5: Education & Awareness

Expand your mental health toolkit.

Psychoeducation improves mental health literacy, reduces stigma, and empowers individuals to seek support earlier (NIH, 2017).

Ideas to try:

• Host panels featuring clinicians, peer specialists, or community advocates
• Offer learning series or "lunch and learns" on stress management and resilience
• Create a shared resource library (both digital and physical) on mental health topics
• Celebrate and amplify Mental Health Awareness Month through community storytelling campaigns

Why It Matters

Supporting the mental health of care teams isn’t an “extra”—it’s a foundation for long-term impact.

We see it in action every day. Recently, we helped a large behavioral health organization shift from fragmented tracking systems to a flexible care coordination platform—helping frontline teams reduce administrative stress, streamline client tracking, and free up more time for real connection and care.

When care teams are equipped with the right structures—and feel supported emotionally and professionally—better client outcomes follow naturally.

Follow Along for More Ideas

Throughout May, we’ll be sharing additional Mental Health Awareness Month resources, activities, and reflections on LinkedIn.

Follow us to stay connected and gather more ideas you can bring into your programs and communities.

Together, we can build stronger systems—for the people delivering care, and for the people counting on it.