Improving performance, productivity and staff engagement through whole-organisation approaches
About Richard
Richard Daniel Curtis is an internationally recognised mental health disruptor, leading wellbeing expert and mentor.
With nearly 20 years’ experience advising government, organisations and individuals on mental health strategy, he works globally – having transformed, within the UK alone, the lives of more than 12 million people.
What makes Richard different is his firm belief that companies wanting to put their staff’s wellbeing first must start with a mental health strategy rooted in evidence.
Able to challenge conventional thinking, Richard understands that businesses want to see a return on their investment and be confident that their strategy is working. His ability to simplify strategy makes mental health easier for leaders – and he is so confident in his guidance that he offers a money-back guarantee across all his training courses.
Richard’s early career began in hospital wards and mental health units, where he saw first-hand the devastating impact of mental illness. Later known as the ‘Kid Calmer’ for his research into social and emotional development and experience as a teacher, Richard co-authored the guidance for the statutory mental health curriculum in England following a request from the Department for Education. His theories and ideas are now taught in classrooms across the country.
Having transformed the lives of an entire generation, Richard set his sights on supporting companies and founded The Root Of It in 2013, an award-winning training and consultancy business with a single cheque for £750 from a client.
Today, the company is a trusted adviser to thousands of individuals and businesses, helping them build mental health and wellbeing skills, create more productive and engaging workplaces, and enhance leadership skills.
Richard holds a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in education.
Richard has written and delivered over 200 training courses for organisations and education providers through The Mentoring School, Skills for Progress, The Association of Mental Health in Education and, most recently, Mental Health Courses.
He also founded the international Mental Health Awards, celebrating individuals and companies around the world for championing interventions that improve mental health and make a real difference in their communities.
A renowned expert on mental health strategy, Richard has appeared on TV, print and radio and is a frequent commentator on mental health policy. He is a distinguished author and engaging motivational speaker on a mission to change the way we talk about mental health.