James Flaherty is a Mental Health Fitness Coach and co-founder of Find Your Mindset. A former Royal Marines Commando, James has lived the extremes of human performance — from the discipline and intensity of military life to the depths of mental struggle. That journey shaped his belief that real strength comes from balance — between body, mind, and emotion.

Now, he helps people build that balance for themselves. His coaching blends military precision with human connection, turning resilience into a skill, not a slogan. Whether he’s working with leaders, teams, or individuals, James brings raw honesty, humour, and the kind of perspective that only comes from living it.

ACT caught up with him to find out more about his view on the importance of wellbeing in the workplace  and how everyday actions can influence it.

How did you first become interested in mental health and wellbeing in the workplace?

For me, it’s personal. I’ve seen the highs and lows of both physical and mental health. As a Royal Marines Commando, I learned how far you can push yourself physically — but also how fragile the mind can become when you ignore it. Later, when I went through serious mental illness myself, I realised that mindset isn’t just about toughness; it’s about balance, awareness, and self-leadership.

That experience made me passionate about helping others build the same resilience — not through slogans, but through practical tools that keep you steady when life or work gets rough.

 

What changes have you seen in how organisations view mental health as part of health and safety?

When I started in this field, mental health was something people only talked about when things had already gone wrong. Now, more organisations are seeing it as prevention, not just cure. They’re realising that a mentally fit workforce makes safer, more effective decisions. It’s no longer just “how do we avoid accidents?” — it’s “how do we create conditions where people can think clearly, communicate well, and cope with pressure?”

 

The HSE’s strategy now places psychosocial risks on the same level as physical ones. What does that mean in practice for employers and safety professionals?

It means we need to treat stress, fatigue, and burnout the same way we treat slips, trips, and falls — with systems, conversations, and controls. Employers can’t just rely on posters and policies; they have to look at how workloads, leadership styles, and communication impact people’s wellbeing.

If someone’s mentally overloaded, that’s a safety risk. They’re more likely to miss hazards, make errors, or disengage. Recognising that is a huge step forward for the profession.

 

How can training and qualifications help safety professionals better support mental health in their organisations?

Knowledge builds confidence. When you understand how the mind responds to stress or trauma, you start spotting early signs and can step in before things get serious. Training like Mental Health First Aid or Mental Fitness gives people the tools to listen well, ask the right questions, and point others towards the right support.

For me, it’s about practical skill — not just theory. Safety professionals already protect people physically; training helps them protect people psychologically too.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to managing mental health risks at work?

The first challenge is still stigma — people not feeling safe to speak up. The second is pace — workplaces are faster, leaner, and often short on time for reflection. And the third is consistency — mental health can’t depend on whether you’ve got a “good” manager or not.

We need systems that make mental fitness part of the culture, not an optional extra. It’s not about adding more work — it’s about changing how we work.

 

How do you approach teaching such a sensitive and personal topic to professionals in diverse industries?

By being honest and human. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do share real stories — including my own — to show that mental health affects everyone, no matter how tough or experienced you are.

I try to create an environment where people feel safe to talk, reflect, and challenge themselves. Whether it’s construction, manufacturing, or the public sector, the aim is the same: give people tools they can actually use, not just slides and slogans.

 

In your experience, what impact does a strong workplace wellbeing culture have on safety performance overall?

A huge one. When people feel valued and supported, they’re more focused, more alert, and more likely to speak up when something’s not right. A strong wellbeing culture doesn’t just reduce sickness — it builds trust. And trust is the foundation of every safe team I’ve ever seen, whether on a building site or in the military.

 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to develop their knowledge or career in mental health and workplace wellbeing?

Start with yourself. Learn how you respond to pressure, and how you manage your own stress. That self-awareness is the foundation. From there, seek out credible training — MHFA England, NEBOSH, CITB — and focus on applying what you learn in real conversations at work.

You don’t need to be a counsellor to make a difference. You just need to care, listen, and act consistently.

 

Finally, what small actions can leaders or colleagues take today to make a difference to mental health at work?

Listen without judgment. Check in with people properly, not just in passing. Lead by example — take your breaks, talk about the hard days as well as the good ones.

And remember: culture is built in small moments. Every time you show empathy or patience, you make it easier for someone else to do the same. That’s how you build teams that look after each other — mentally and physically.

 

Find out more

James has been a tutor with ACT since 2024, leading a wide range of health, safety, and wellbeing courses in the classroom and online, including:

• Mental Health First Aid, in association with Find Your Mindset
• NEBOSH Working With Wellbeing
• NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress
• NEBOSH National General Certificate

Connect with James on LinkedIn to find out more about his work