March Wellbeing Spotlight: Sanctus Mental Health

James Routledge is the founder of Sanctus. They are on a mission to create a world where mental health is viewed the same as physical health and to make proactive mental health support more readily available in the workplace. Sanctus provide a proactive mental health solution that aims to get the best of both worlds when it comes to straddling the line between coaching and therapy. They free up time for managers and HR by giving employees professional and confidential support, and invest in personal growth in a way that positively impacts performance, competencies, engagement and retention. Delivering a win-win that goes beyond the bottom line.

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What is the Sanctus mission statement?

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We've had a few different ones over the years! They all centre on the same mission - inspiring people to work on their mental health like we do our physical health.

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Can you tell us a little more about your role within Sanctus?

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Over the years i've done everything needed, which I think is pretty typical for Founders. Most recently I transitioned away from being the CEO to a Board role. My job is to promote the Sanctus mission and stay out of the way of the team doing what we need to reach as many people as possible.

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Why are you passionate about mental health?

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Loads of different reasons. Firstly because I've experienced profound transformation personally as I started to go deeper and open up. I've changed a lot in ways I could never have imagined, I feel better and my life is better. I want more people to experience that.

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What does it mean to straddle the best of both worlds when it comes to bridging the gap between coaching and therapy?

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The world of coaching, self-development and mental health and wellbeing broadly is still murky and it's on us and other brands in the space to clear it up. There are lots of blurred lines. The easiest way to look at therapy is that it's typically there for when you're suffering or entrenched patterns continue to hold you back in your life. In therapy you're likely to talk about the past and may touch on trauma. In coaching you may reference the past but you're more likely to focus on your present situation and the future. Coaching can be more flexible, creative and playful in its approach.

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What should you look for in a good coach or therapist?

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Connection is the most important thing, someone you feel comfortable with and that you can trust.

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In what way is mental health a spectrum as opposed to binary?

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All emotions are on a spectrum. From joy to sadness. Excitement to anxiety. Our psychological state is too complex to be binary.

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Do you have any inspiring success stories you can share?

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Thousands and more than we'll ever know. We've coached tens of thousands of people over the years. Many have changed their life in some way, their relationship, their job and more.

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What motivates you?

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I like creating things that help people.

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What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?

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Don't take things too seriously and have fun.

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How has what you do changed you as a person?

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In more ways than I could have ever imagined. I think through Sanctus I've experienced connection with myself, others and the world around me that I didn't think was possible. On the flip side, the reality of building a business has humbled me many times over.

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What is your vision for the future personally and professionally?

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Personally I'd like to create multiple different brands that help the world in a positive way. Professionally I'd like more people to open up through coaching or other practices so that people are able to see outside of themselves and help others and the world.

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Are there any books or blogs on your reading list?

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I try not to read too much startup stuff and mainly read novels. I like the classics.

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What do you love most about x+why?

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The fact that there's a curated mission around the types of companies and people you want to work with.

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