With Mental Health Awareness Month in May, employers have an opportunity to reinforce a culture of care, reduce stigma, and ensure wellbeing support is practical, accessible, and can be personalized.

May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an opportunity to honor the culture and contributions of AAPI employees.

Here’s how this month’s toolkit can help clients commemorate these themes.

Mental Health, Your Way

Mental health is shaped by daily habits, boundaries, and work experiences, not just moments of crisis. This month’s theme encourages employees to explore what support looks like for them, recognizing that needs differ across roles, life stages, and cultures.

For clients, Sequoia offers two employee guides:

Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Mental Health Support Options — Helps employees understand common mental health programs, including therapy, coaching, mindfulness, movement, peer support, and self‑guided practices.

Mental Health, Your Way: Mental Health in Daily Life — Offers practical, everyday strategies, such as micro‑resets, transitions between work and personal time, and noticing early signs of stress to support wellbeing before challenges escalate.

Clients can amplify these guides by pairing them with reminders about existing benefits, such as EAP offerings, mental health coverage under medical plans, wellbeing platforms, and reimbursable tools or apps.

The Employer’s Role: Personalizing Mental Health at Work

While individual resources matter, workplace conditions play a critical role in employee mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month is an opportunity to reinforce how leaders, managers, and people systems influence day‑to‑day wellbeing.

Equip managers to support mental health: Managers are often the first point of contact for employees, but many need clear guidance on how to offer support. Offer training on topics like psychological safety, recognizing early signs of burnout, referring employees to benefits appropriately, and modeling healthy behaviors. Also, ensure they have a toolkit of company offerings that can support mental health.

Review people policies through a mental health lens: Employers should also assess whether policies support mental health or create friction. Areas to review include time‑off usage, flexible work practices, leave and accommodation processes, and access to culturally responsive care.

Honor and Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month

AAPI Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Employers can foster belonging through educational content, voluntary events, and inclusive recognition efforts. Our supplemental AAPI Heritage Guide supports our clients with suggestions and activities.

How Sequoia Can Help

Sequoia clients can access tools for this month by logging into Sequoia OS and going to the Wellbeing section.

If you’re not a Sequoia client and are interested in learning more about how Sequoia can support your benefits and wellbeing program, connect with a Sequoia advisor.

Jackie Ishibashi — Jackie is a Senior Global Wellbeing Strategist at Sequoia, focusing on market insights and trends, and building best practice strategies for clients. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors and gardening.