Find The Best Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Mental health sick days cost UK businesses on average £8 billion every year, with 12% of all sickness days being attributed to a mental health problem.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 runs from the 15^th – 21^st of May and is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The week provides fantastic opportunities for businesses and event organisers to raise awareness and focus on helping their employees and audience adopt good mental well-being practices, whilst also providing them with a safe space to discuss mental health challenges.

At Great British Speakers, we are proud to be working alongside a team of professional Mental Health Speakers who can really add value to your next mental health and wellbeing event.

Our Top 10 Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Alex Staniforth – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Alex Staniforth is an adventurer who is no stranger to adversity. While battling his own mental and physical health issues – including having a stammer, being bullied, developing anxiety and an eating disorder – Alex took to the outdoors and now encourages others to do the same. He is the Founding Director of Mind Over Mountains, a charity which helps restore mental well-being and resilience through outdoor experiences.

To book Alex Staniforth one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Andrew Pain – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

As a long-term survivor of domestic abuse from his former marriage, Andrew Pain knows only too well how isolating personal trauma can be. Not only did his home life start affecting his performance at work – from the extraordinary levels of sick leave to excessive personal phone calls and falling asleep in front of clients – but it also distances him from friends and families, knocked his confidence, and led to severe depression.

Andrew is keen to highlight that domestic violence isn’t gendered, that men can also suffer from abusive partners, and that it’s important to encourage people to reach out, as we never really know what may be going on in someone’s personal life behind closed doors.

To book Andrew Pain one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Anna Williamson – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Outside of her TV career as a presenter, behind closed doors, Anna Williamson suffered from an almost crippling battle with generalised anxiety disorder. During her own recovery and upon speaking out about her own experience, Anna realised there was a huge stigma attached to poor mental health. As a result, Anna was determined to make a difference and joined the mental health charity MIND as an official ambassador. She also qualified as a counsellor, life coach and Master NLP practitioner.

Anna now contributes her expertise to TV and magazine shows and is often booked to speak in schools, at businesses and at corporate events. She has also gained great success from her online videos for AOL, YouTube and The Telegraph.

Anna has also spoken about her own experience of suffering from post-natal depression after the birth of her son.

To book Anna Williamson one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Ben Smith – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Growing up, Ben Smith wasn’t into running or any sport in fact. At school, he suffered at the hands of bullies, picked on because of his weight and because he was gay. This bullying increased his anxiety and lowered his confidence and self-esteem. However, after suffering a Transient Ischemic Attack – sometimes known as a mini-stroke – at 29, Ben felt he needed to change the way he led his life for both his physical – he weighed 17 stone at the time – and mental health.

In 2015, Ben took on the incredible challenge of running 401 marathons in 401 days – equating to over 10,500 miles. Throughout the challenge, he raised £330,000 for two anti-bullying charities. And from here, the 401 Challenge was born. Today, Ben is one of our inspirational health and wellness speakers who has delivered motivational talks to audiences worldwide, covering important issues of physical wellness, mental well-being, resilience and the LGBTQ+ community.

To book Ben Smith one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Chris Thrall – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

After leaving the Royal Marines to run a successful business in Asia, Chris Thrall found himself homeless, suffering from acute mental illness from crystal meth addiction and working for the Hong Kong triads.

Declining conventional support, Chris rebuilt his life, becoming a qualified pilot, skydiver, adventurer and bestselling author. He has travelled to eighty countries across seven continents and raised thousands of pounds for charity. An extreme-endurance athlete, Chris ran an ultra-marathon a day for thirty-seven days, unsupported, across the length of Britain, to raise awareness of the alarming rate of veteran suicide.

Chris has a degree in youth and community work and is a substance-misuse and addiction specialist. He is able to present this often-misunderstood topic from a positive and progressive perspective. Along with his trademark Royal Marines humour, Chris’s fascinating story, inspirational message and passionate person-centred approach will appeal to those seeking to unlock their potential and corporate clients concerned with the mental wellbeing of their workforce.

To book Chris Thrall one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Clarke and Carrie Carlisle – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

After his successful 16-year football career came to an end, Clarke Carlisle’s life took a downward turn. Uncertain of what his future now held, he turned to alcohol abuse, which resulted in fines for drink driving. His mental health continued to deteriorate, and Clarke tried to take his own life in 2014, walking out in front of a lorry on the A64 near York. After a long physical recovery, his mental health was still precarious, resulting in a second suicide attempt in 2017.

Since then, Clarke and his wife Carrie have become popular mental health speakers, talking to employees at companies including Disney, Sky, and Legal & General. Together, they offer a unique insight into what it is like to live with a mental illness and what it is like to live with someone with a mental illness.

To book Clarke & Carrie Carlisle two of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Clive Branson – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

The last few years have been an astonishing period for Clive Branson, who is no stranger to the isolation that mental and physical illness can bring.

From dealing with personal grief to the diagnosis of two life-limiting diseases (Motor Neurone Disease and Prostate Cancer), and spending seven weeks in a psychiatric hospital, Clive is the epitome of an ‘inspirational speaker’. Today, Clive’s mission is to actively demonstrate that we do have the ability to overcome adversity. Resilience, hope and positivity are crucial words in his vocabulary, and the next chapter of his life will be met with stoicism and a smile.

To book Clive Branson one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Dave Walsh – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Aspiring strongman Dave Walsh had his life turned upside down almost overnight. He went from climbing mountains to being unable to climb the stairs.

In 2014, Dave didn’t feel right, his body had gone numb and he was struggling to stay on his feet. Brushing it off as stress, he simply ignored it. But the symptoms never went away. Dave was eventually diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Not only did it take away the use of his body, it also ravaged his mental health.

Alongside his family and the strongman community, Dave started to look at his life differently and adapt to his new ‘normal’. Within eight years, he had become a full-time wheelchair user but he was also named Britain’s Strongest Disabled Man 2021 and World’s Strongest Disabled Man 2022. Dave’s story is truly inspirational and he aims to promote the power that positivity has on life’s challenges and the ability to achieve your full potential.

To book Dave Walsh one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Mark Lemon – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Award-winning author, podcaster and mental health speaker Mark Lemon has first-hand experience of grief that none of us would wish on a person. When he was just 12 years old, his father was killed and so Mark dedicated his life to helping adults and children come to terms with their grief and the effect it has on mental health.

Based on his own tragic experience, Mark talks about how to survive childhood trauma, how to support a loved one or a colleague in their grief, how to recognise grief and how to channel your grief into something positive.

In addition to his inspirational speeches, Mark has written a number of successful children’s books which cover the topics of heritage, grief and, of course, mental health.

To book Mark Lemon one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Poorna Bell – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Poorna Bell has acted as both a facilitator and guest speaker at many mental health and wellness events. She was identified by Balance Magazine as one of the top 100 wellness personalities and has held talks for the NHS and at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit on the topic of mental well-being.

Trained in presentation at RADA, Poorna has presented in a number of formats from panel sessions to chairing conferences. Some of her keynote topics include diversity in the media, how social media is affecting our perceptions of identity, and imposter syndrome.

Poorna’s debut book Chase the Rainbow (2017) was described as a ‘memoir-meets-journalism’ piece based on her life with her husband Rob who suffered from depression and anxiety, and who unfortunately took his own life in 2015. Despite the heavy subject matter, the story is ultimately about love, includes elements of humour and is a brave attempt to break the social stigma attached to mental health. The book’s sequels In Search of Silence (2019) and Stronger (2021) were highly praised, with presenter Stacey Solomon saying they “…remind us all that we are stronger than we know.”

To book Poorna Bell one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Roman Kemp – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Capital FM radio presenter Roman Kemp became an advocate for male mental health back in 2021 when his documentary ‘Roman Kemp: Our Silent Emergency’ aired on BBC. Kemp was inspired to make the documentary after his friend took his own life in 2020, causing Roman and those around him to question how they couldn’t spot the signs of their friend’s depression. Roman has since held corporate talks on male mental health in the hope he can make other men feel not so alone and to seek help if they require it.

To book Roman Kemp one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Scarlett Moffatt – Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

In May 2022, TV personality and Gogglebox star, Scarlett Moffatt opened up about her personal struggle with loneliness during the Covid pandemic and lockdown, revealing that she turned to the Samaritans for help. She is now an ambassador for the suicide prevention charity and hopes that by sharing her own story, she can raise awareness and help others overcome their own mental health struggles, loneliness and depression.

To book Scarlett Moffatt one of our inspirational mental health speakers call 01753 439289

Find an Awareness Day Speaker

Similar events this year include; Stress Awareness Month (April), World Mental Health Day (10^th October), International Women’s Day (8th March) and International Men’s Day (19^th November), which is particularly powerful for men’s mental health and wellbeing.

You can find more Awareness Days Events and see the perfect speakers for them on our useful Events Calendar

Need more inspiration? Take a look at our Top Ten Speakers for Stress Awareness Month below – all of our Mental Health Speakers are available for events all year around.

Find The Best Motivational Speakers For Stress Awareness Month 2023

Book your perfect motivational Mental Health Awareness Day Speaker

If you’d like to book any of our talents for an event this Mental Health Awareness Week, then please do get in touch. Please email us at bookings@greatbritishtalent.com, and we’ll happily help you find your perfect Mental Health Awareness Week Speaker.