This Shoreditch company wants to make a Mental Health Pledge to businesses worldwide

You may not have heard about it, but the story of Madelyn Parker, whose boss backed her decision to take a mental health day off work, was the one that has inspired Sanctus to launch its own Mental Health Pledge for every business in Britain.

Today is World Mental Health Day (October 10), and Shoreditch-based Sanctus’ mission is to change the perception of how we view mental health.

When Madelyn’s story went viral, James Routledge, founder of Sanctus wanted to follow in her footsteps: “We saw Madelyn’s tweet and the response it got and thought, that should be the standard, not the exception!

“We work with businesses who are pioneering progressive approaches to mental health in the workplace and have seen the benefits. There’s a lot of talk about mental health, but few people are actually taking action.”

Sanctus visualises a world where mental health is treated in exactly the same way as physical health. The company’s ‘Mental Health Pledge’ outlines a radical yet practical framework for businesses to support mental health in the workplace, so people can bring their full selves to work.

The pledge encourages businesses to discuss mental and physical wellbeing in one-to-one conversations, allows mental health days for staff and ensure that related issues aren’t a permanent barrier to career progression.

Its founding signatories include Red Bull, education technology company Makers Academy and recruitment firm Cranberry Panda. It officially launched on World Mental Health Day (today), and this year’s theme focuses on the workplace.

George Bettany, co-founder, also said: “Any business can sign this pledge, no matter where they are on their journey and it can be implemented very cheaply and easily.

“We hope to see a wide range of businesses adopting the pledge. Everyone has mental health and every organisation has the capability to promote it at work.”

Sanctus works with over 20 partners to provide mental health coaching in businesses, with an aim to put the first ‘mental health gym’ on the high-street. Coining themselves as personal trainers, Sanctus aims to help individuals find their own solutions to the challenges of their mental health.

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