Revolutionising mental health care: Butho’s journey from student to global innovator

Butho’s path to mental health nursing began with a deeply personal experience. He grew up with a family member who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy and was profoundly affected by their passing in his early teens. This inspired a lifelong commitment to helping others. “I always knew I’d help people, somehow,” Butho reflects.

After moving from Zimbabwe to California, Butho was exposed to a traumatic event which further fuelled his interest in healthcare. After relocating to England, a role at a care facility solidified his decision to pursue a career in nursing.

Initially, Butho enrolled in a general health degree at another university, gaining essential administrative skills. However, this didn’t align with his aspirations. This led him to study BSc (Hons) in Pre-Registration Nursing (Mental Health) at the University of Central Lancashire. The course provided him with hands-on opportunities, making it simple for him to go straight into a job as a qualified Mental Health Nurse after graduation. “I finished school on Thursday and by Monday I had a job,” he recalls.

Butho credits the University for shaping his career, as well as its supportive environment. Lecturers like Sarah Traill, Alison Elliott, Emma Jones, and Eve Potts left a lasting impact. He said: “They were incredibly kind, supportive, and always connected us with the right people.” Despite challenges, their encouragement ensured he stayed on track.

Butho remembers experiencing personal and professional challenges during his studies, he said: “Had it been any other University, I could easily see myself having been told to step down or take a break, but my lecturers were very supportive and stood up for me. This University struck me as a place which fostered progress.” To this day, Butho is still in touch with his lecturers and regularly updates them on his achievements and career progression.

After graduating, Butho returned to the University for a mentorship qualification, enabling him to guide other aspiring nurses. He later joined the Northwest Ambulance Service, becoming one of the first two Mental Health Nurses employed to support the 111 mental health crisis line. His work on this pioneering service, now a nationwide resource, remains a career highlight for Butho.

Butho has had a massive impact on the mental health sector. From advocating for equitable mental health services in hospitals to creating innovative care models, his contributions are transformative. Drawing inspiration from oncology’s ‘Navigation’ model, Butho developed a nursing model which is now implemented in four emergency departments in Victoria, Australia.

Butho is currently working as a Mental Health Clinical Lead on the first virtual emergency department in Australia. This is a virtual A&E which help patients with a mental health crisis from the comfort of their own home. His main duty is designing the way in how clinicians work. The clinic has won several awards across Australia and is en-route to becoming a virtual hospital. This approach is being implemented in other countries across the world, such as Singapore.

Despite his accomplishments, Butho remains dedicated to learning. He is pursuing a double master’s in public health and health administration, with aspirations to publish research in mental health.

His advice to aspiring nurses and mental health professionals? “Think outside the box and don’t pigeonhole yourself. Be open to different opportunities, don’t limit yourself. The only constant is change.”