We are delighted to partner with Catalyst Support for Mental Health Week 2025, focusing on the therapeutic benefits of interacting with paper. Catalyst is a leading charity dedicated to supporting mental health and well-being within the community. Our joint campaign aims to demonstrate how simple activities like journaling, doodling, and colouring can significantly support mental wellness, reduce stress, and foster creativity and self-expression.
At Duplo, we recognise that print is more than just communication – it's a powerful means of connecting, inspiring, and supporting personal well-being.
Why Print Matters
Engaging with printed materials, such as the notebooks we’ve designed with Catalyst, offers significant mental health benefits. Studies have shown that interacting with paper as a creative outlet can reduce stress, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm. Unlike digital screens, paper provides a tactile, sensory experience that can enhance creativity and emotional well-being.
Read more about the Therapeutic Benefits of Print
By giving people, a space to express themselves through physical mediums, print helps foster a connection to their emotions and provides a calming, productive escape from daily stresses. In high-pressure environments like the print industry, where professionals often face tight deadlines and demanding workloads, integrating print-based activities into daily routines can provide much-needed relief.
The Duplo-Catalyst Support Collaboration
Our partnership with Catalyst began with monthly grocery donations and evolved into impactful community projects. Previously, we worked with Catalyst to design and produce Christmas cards. This experience revealed the significant impact that interacting with paper and creating tangible artwork had on participants’ well-being. Encouraged by this success, Catalyst expanded their offerings to include Doodle Workshops, where attendees are encouraged to use drawing and colouring as tools for stress relief and self-expression.
Read more about the Christmas Card Project here.
Inspired by these outcomes, Duplo designed customisable notebooks intended specifically for therapeutic drawing, colouring, and journaling. Produced using Duplo’s advanced booklet makers and saddle stitchers during showroom demonstrations, these notebooks are donated directly to Catalyst for use in their community workshops. This initiative combines Duplo's print expertise with Catalyst’s commitment to improving community well-being.
Creating Therapeutic Notebooks
Designed to encourage self-expression:
Our notebooks are intentionally simple yet inspiring, designed with three distinctive covers that encourage personalisation through creative expression. Each notebook provides a welcoming space for individuals to explore and reflect upon their thoughts and emotions.
Brought to life on Duplo’s booklet makers:
These books came to life thanks to Duplo’s print finishing technology. Using our booklet makers and saddle stitchers, we’ve been able to produce high-quality, professionally finished notebooks that maintain the integrity and durability – perfect for use in a therapeutic setting.
Duplo’s Commitment to Mental Health and Well-Being
At Duplo, we recognise that people are at the heart of our success. Our commitment to supporting mental health initiatives reflects our ongoing dedication to the well-being of our employees, customers, and the wider print community. Through partnerships like the one with Catalyst Support, we aim to demonstrate that the print industry can be both productive and supportive when it comes to mental health.
The collaboration between Duplo and Catalyst Support highlights the importance of mental health awareness in the print industry and demonstrates how print can be used as a therapeutic tool. From the creation of personalised notebooks to promoting mental well-being through creative expression, this initiative is a step towards fostering a more mindful, supportive print environment.
More About Catalyst Support
Catalyst is a Surrey-based charity passionate about empowering individuals and communities to achieve better mental health and well-being. Their work is not only about providing immediate support but also about creating sustainable change by offering tools that help manage stress and encourage emotional well-being. Catalyst provides a wide range of services including crisis intervention, mental health and substance misuse support, and educational programmes. They create welcoming spaces where people feel heard and supported, making a lasting positive impact across the community.