A guide for programming to reduce stress, promote self-care, and build communities.
ACTIVE MINDS’ STRESS LESS WEEK® TOOLKIT, is designed to provide education about stress and anxiety and build communities that are supportive of mental health. Stress Less Week® spreads the message that speaking up about one’s struggles is a sign of strength and promoting self-care is a priority. Stress Less Week® can be any week that makes sense in your year. As a national organization, Active Minds runs this program once in the spring and once in the fall.
Inside this free toolkit you’ll find education, tips, and resources designed to help you better understand and mitigate your stress while helping to shape a positive mental health culture among your community.
fill out the form to download the FREE toolkit!
10 ways to promote stress & anxiety management on your campus, in your community, or in your workplace
Connect: Start a virtual book club, movie night, or game night with co-workers and friends. Designate that time to be present with each other over zoom and enjoy an activity without your phones/screens.
Self-care strategies: Share a list of self care ideas and encourage others to share their own ways they engage in self care.
Host a panel discussion: Recruit a few people to talk about what stress or anxiety look like for them and how they cope as part of a panel discussion.
Take a break: Encourage everyone to schedule 30 minutes or one hour to take a break alone or together for a walk, yoga class, breathing workshop, or a shared snack.
Recess: Invite others to join you in activities you loved as a child, such as games, sports, or kids movies. Remember four-square? Red rover? Even just a pick-up game of basketball or an outdoor movie can provide a nice break.
Get crafty: Organize a night to get creative with paint, crafts, coloring, or zentangle. Use music and themes to create a fun night of stress management.
Experience pet therapy: Encourage everyone to bring their pets to your next meeting or social gathering and talk about how animals support our wellbeing.
Normalize stress and anxiety: Host an Active Minds Speaker for your campus or community, who can – as talented storytellers – help others feel more comfortable in their own experiences.
Encourage laughter: Host a stand-up comedy night or make a community list of funny movie recommendations. Add a funny theme like wacky hats to add to the humor of the event!
Spread the word! Check out Active Minds’ Stress Less Week Programming Guide for more ideas and share Active Minds’ Stress or Anxiety? and Managing Anxiety infographics on social media or post them on bulletin boards.
young adults are less likely to seek help if they perceive that others would think less of them
additional resources
understanding our stress & anxiety
when it’s more than a bad day
check in on someone using V-A-R
hotlines
Text “Brave” to 741-741 to the Crisis Text Line or call/text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Both provide free, 24/7 support.
referral resourcesget help cards
Four postcard-sized, takeaway cards with helpful messages of support and suggested resource.
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Active Minds is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.