Stage Manager & Help Menu. With minimised help menu - Can't get out or into anything.

Yes, I also would definitely recommend using Control Center to access the toggle switch for Stage manager.

System Settings > Control Center > Control Center Modules > Stage Manager > Don't Show in Menu Bar

For additional Stage Manager Settings such as access to Recent applications, and viewing Desktop items

System Settings > Desktop & Dock > scroll down to Windows & Apps > Stage Manager

> toggle switch > on (Default Mac Settings typically show the blue highlight for on. Grey for off).

**Note: Displays have separate Spaces must be toggled on

User will have to sign out in order to access the Stage Manager feature on a Mac

> toggle switch > on enables the Customize button

> click on the button and a new pop up window will appear.

> set additional Stage Manager settings to what works best for you.

> ⬇️ these are the settings I use, and would recommend

FWIW, you can enable/disable Stage Manager from the Control Center.

I would consider the behavior a bug. You can file a bug report from the feedback page.

Feedback - macOS - Apple