Coaching for Mental Health

The Power of a Coached Mind

“We become what we spend our time thinking about…” Proverbs 23:7

We all have a mind. If the brain is the hardware, the mind is the software. Our minds have the power to choose what we think about. It starts with “choice”. We can choose life-giving thoughts or toxic thoughts. What we decide to think about consciously or unconsciously will impact the outcome of our lives. As we celebrate International Coaching Week, I want to share with you the story of Mind, the United Kingdom’s leading Mental Health Organisation who chose to support their staff members during the global pandemic by offering them the “thought-provoking” process of coaching.

So how did it all happen? How did Mind and Coaching with Conscience by Tracy Sinclair start their journey?

Coach Advancement by Tracy Sinclair has many ambitions, one of them being to use coaching for the greater good. For that purpose, they initiated the “Coaching with Conscience” initiative in 2020. During the pandemic, Coach Advancement reached out to charities to offer pro-bono coaching to support frontline workers during the pandemic and Mind took up the opportunity, understanding the positive impact it could have on their organisation and its people. Thirty-one executive coaches, 98 individuals, 380.5 hours of coaching later, the coaching impact had been felt on the MIND organisation. People’s lives were being transformed through the magic of coaching. “How?” you might ask …

Here are some of the responses from participants:

“The way she was able to help me to understand my own thought processes and guide me in finding my own limits, barriers and solutions was simply magic! I cannot explain how, but every session I was simply amazed by what we achieved.”

“The impact is already immeasurable. Coaching has changed me as a person; it has already improved my mental well-being and I believe the work we have done will protect my mental well-being moving forward, which is incredible. I feel more comfortable and confident in my skills and my values as a manager, colleague, mentor and personally. I think for one of the first times in my life, I don’t feel apologetic for who and what I stand for and what is important to me.”

Further outcomes of the coaching were also shared as follows:

• Improved confidence
• Thinking/feeling differently
• Improved productivity
• Decreased levels of stress
• Enhanced ability to communicate one’s own needs
• Feeling an improved sense of clarity
• Feeling more positive
• Feeling supported/feeling more able to offer support
• Improved sense of wellbeing

With the volatile world we live in, impacting our well-being on a daily basis, it seems fair to say that we could all benefit from coaching!

So, what about the coaches? How were they impacted through Coaching with Conscience?

“This has allowed me an opportunity to support clients who are actively involved with frontline issues during the COVID-19 situation in the UK”.

This opportunity “aligns with my purpose in life and passion to make a difference in people’s lives”.

“It has meant that I have been able to contribute to something bigger than me”.

The ripple effects of the coaching impact did not stop there. Jilly Stewart, one of our coaching colleagues who offered coaching as part of the Coaching with Conscience initiative, decided to shave her head. She was so inspired by the work and contribution that her Mind clients were doing and wanted to raise money for Mind. Jilly “cleared her head” on July 24, 2020. Jilly’s fundraising (and hair raising!) efforts raised over £4,400 for Mind.

This week is all about celebrating coaching and how it contributes to making the world a better place, as we reimagine the future! Whether you are an organisation or an individual, we invite you to discover coaching and experience the effects of having your diamond sparkle a thousand lights!

This article is part of a special series celebrating International Coaching Week 2022! This year’s theme is “Reimagining the Future”.

Coach Advancement by Tracy Sinclair supports organisations to develop the potential of their people through coaching, coaching skills and coaching culture. Our Coaching with Conscience services specialise in offering coaching and coaching related services in support of positive social impact and social progress. Get in touch and together we can reimagine the future!

If you are interested in learning more about our coach training opportunities, register to attend our next FREE Think with a Drink webinar on Tuesday, May 24, 4-5 p.m. (London).