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

News provided by

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Jun 25, 2025, 13:10 ET

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

ARLINGTON, Va., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 crisis support remains available. The NAMI HelpLine will operate normal hours Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, except July 4. People can reach the HelpLine by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), texting "NAMI" to 62640, visiting nami.org/help, or emailing [email protected].

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness.