Sustaining the planet
Workshops tailored for different audiences focusing on environment, creativity and mental health. Includes well-being and rehabilitation with WHO definitions and personal experiences.
Find out MoreMental Health
Mental Health: Nurturing Well-being in Ourselves and the Workplace
Mental health is at the core of who we are. Just as we all have physical health, we all have mental health, and it deserves the same level of care and attention. The stresses of life and work can take a toll on our well-being, but by fostering positive mental health, we can build stronger, more resilient individuals and communities.
At Sustaining the Planet, we offer Mental Health Awareness Workshops tailored to different audiences, from senior executives and managers to employees and mental health first-aiders. These workshops draw on personal experience and professional insights, providing a safe space to discuss mental health, reduce stigma, and explore practical solutions for maintaining well-being at work and beyond.
What is Mental Health?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), health is not just the absence of illness but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Mental health, in particular, allows us to realise our abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to our communities.
Good mental health doesn’t just benefit the individual—it also brings significant rewards for businesses. Employees with strong mental health are more loyal, productive, and engaged. So, ask yourself: What steps can your organisation take to support mental well-being?
Interactive Workshops and Training
Steve’s workshops are dynamic and interactive, using his own lived experience of mental health challenges—such as his journey through bipolar disorder and rehabilitation—to engage participants. The sessions cover a range of mental health topics, from overcoming stigma to facilitating return-to-work programmes following absence due to mental health issues. Key business concerns like communication, etiquette, and finding practical solutions for mental health in the workplace are also addressed.
Learning Outcomes:
Participants in these workshops will…
- Gain a deeper understanding of mental health problems and their varied forms
- Learn to discuss mental health in an open and relaxed environment
- Appreciate how attitudes towards mental health shape workplace culture
- Explore ways to make reasonable adjustments for employees returning from mental health-related absences
Insights from Experience
Steve’s training is enhanced by his personal insights into breakdown and recovery. His workshops create space for open, honest discussions, breaking down barriers and empowering organisations to support their employees effectively. As one former Head of HR at the Business Disability Forum said:
“Steve is an excellent trainer, adding humour to a subject that has often been taboo. His personal experience allows staff to engage in honest discussion and provides greater awareness and understanding of mental ill-health in the workplace.”
For more facts on mental health from the World Health Organisation, visit the WHO Mental Health Factsheet
Rehabilitation: Returning to Work after Mental Health Challenges
Rebuilding after a mental health breakdown is no small feat. It can start with simple steps—like gaining the confidence to perform everyday tasks—and grow into a full return to work. Steve’s rehabilitation journey offers valuable lessons for others.
Watch his personal experience in these video clips:
Mental Health and Rehabilitation
Mental Health a Personal Perspective
Recommended Reading
Steve has also written extensively about his experiences with mental health, offering insights into recovery, creativity, and well-being:
- Explore these works
Mindfulness and Well-being
In the midst of life’s pressures, finding peace is essential. Mindfulness, yoga, and other practises like Tai Chi help individuals focus on the present moment, bringing clarity and a sense of inner calm. Aspects of these techniques are woven into our workshops, offering practical tools for reflection and mental balance.
As Jon Kabat-Zinn eloquently puts it:
“Mindfulness is… a turning towards life… To live life as if each moment is important, as if each moment counted and could be worked with, even if it is a moment of pain, sadness, despair or fear.”
Learn more about the benefits of nature for mental health through resources like this Mind guide: Nature and Mental Health.
Mental health awareness, mindfulness, and creativity can transform workplaces and individuals alike. At Sustaining the Planet, our mission is to help you nurture mental well-being, creating healthier, happier environments where both people and nature can thrive.
Steve’s Mental Health and Rehabilitation Story
Nature and mental health – Mind
Breaking the silence – audio clip interview