Top 15 Mental Health Experts at Great British Speakers

It’s World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, so we’ve assembled our top 15 inspirational speakers on the subject from the Great British talent pool.

What makes them all truly unique and wonderful speakers, is that they don’t all address this important subject from the same perspective. It’s a complex and wide-ranging topic that’s even more crucial when we’ve all been subject to immense pressures created by coronavirus.

And you’ll be pleased to know that given the present social distancing situation they’re all available online and able to deliver virtual and hybrid talks.

Here’s our top 15 Speakers for #WorldMentalHealthDay

Owen O’Kane

Owen is a psychotherapist and author of globally acclaimed, Ten To Zen. He has over 25 years of experience in the mental health sector, occupying the role of Mental Health Clinical Lead for the NHS for a number of years.

Owen’s style is warm, engaging and informative; he manages to capture the attention of everyone in the room. He does not shy away from documenting his personal struggles, be it grief, devastation, or his battle to come to terms with his own sexuality. This vulnerability makes his talks highly engaging, and relatable. Owen avoids jargon and academia, he instead uses workshops, and draws upon his own experiences, to highlight the importance of prioritising a happy, healthy mind.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Owen O’Kane to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Anna Richardson

Anna Richardson is an experienced presenter, journalist and broadcaster, and a regular face on Channel 4.

She has hosted some of Britain’s best-loved TV programmes, such as the Big Breakfast, Big Screen, Supersize v Superskinny, The Sex Education Show and Secret Eaters.

With a particular interest in lifestyle and mental health, she is the author of two books on food and dieting; a frequent podcast host, and is also a qualified Cognitive Hypnotherapist.

Anna is also the founder of mind-box.co.uk, an online help centre dedicate to mental health.

Anna is a versatile speaker who can bring warmth, humour, whilst tackling potentially sensitive subjects in a forthright and honest manner.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Anna Richardson to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Katie Piper

Katie Piper is a best-selling international author, inspirational speaker, TV presenter and charity campaigner.

Katie made the decision to share her story in a remarkable film for the Cutting Edge strand on Channel 4 called ‘Katie: My Beautiful Face’ which was watched by over 3.5million viewers and nominated for Best Single Documentary at the BAFTA Television Awards in 2010.

In 2009 she set up a charity The Katie Piper Foundation to help people with burns and scars to reconnect with their lives and their communities. Simon Cowell supported Katie by becoming the patron and remains actively involved to date. The charity’s vision is a world where scars do not limit a person’s function, social inclusion or sense of well-being. In the summer of 2019 they achieved their goal to open a rehabilitation centre in the UK to offer other burns survivors the treatments that Katie received in France.

She has talked all over the world about her journey and how to be happy and confident to brands like Google and at events like WE day.

To find out more and book mental health speaker K a tie Piper to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Ben Smith

“Possibly the most inspirational and amazing person I have ever seen”

Growing up Ben wasn’t a runner, in fact, he wasn’t very sporty. He suffered at the hands of bullies through school and with his confidence and self-esteem knocked, he led a life dictated to him by others. After suffering from a Transient Ischemic Attack, or incomplete stroke at 29, Ben who was 17 stone at the time, felt he needed to change the way he led his life.

Ben has delivered inspirational talks to audiences covering physical wellness, resilience, LGBTQ+ and mental health.

His unique, honest and humorous style of presenting his story is sure to inspire and relate to any audience. His talk resonates with people on so many different levels and can be easily adapted to any occasion. It’s a real life story about finding what makes you happy.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Ben Smith to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Dame Kelly Holmes

A legendary female British Olympian who really does need no introduction!

Kelly set and still holds the British records in the 600m, 800m and 1000m.

An Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European Multi medallist.

She was BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2004 and awarded a Damehood in 2005 for services to athletics.

Kelly is passionate about raising awareness of mental health. Her own experience led her to learn more and how to help others. A trained Mental Health First Aider, she assists corporates and individuals through both her commercial work and her charitable activities.

She continues to be President of the charity she founded in 2018, the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Kelly Holmes to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Rangan is a member of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners and has been a practising GP for nearly 20 years.

He regularly features on BBC news channels and has given an inspirational TED talk on making diseases disappear. He regular writes articles in the popular press appearing in publications including The Guardian, The Huffington Post and The Daily Mail.

Rangan is a captivating and inspirational speaker. His goal is to empower you to become the architect of your own health. He believes that when we are healthier, we are happier because when we feel better, we live more.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Rangan Chatterjee to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Anna Williamson

Experienced TV and radio broadcaster, No1 best selling author, counsellor, life coach and Master NLP practitioner.

Anna uses this diverse skillset as the dating expert on Celebs Go Dating (E4), relationship expert and presenter on Save Well, Spend Better (see below) and as a reporter on hard-hitting films for Inside Out (BBC One).

Outside of Anna’s TV success and behind closed doors, she suffered from an almost crippling battle with generalised anxiety disorder. On speaking out about her experiences, she realised there was a huge stigma attached to mental health issues. To help fight these stigmas, Anna joined the mental health charity MIND as an official ambassador, and qualified, as a counsellor, life coach and Master NLP practitioner.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Anna Williamson to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Steve Carr

Steve Carr mental health speaker at Great British Speakers

Steve Carr is a wellbeing, mental health, mental health recovery and suicide first aid tutor, author, pilot, inspirational speaker and an IPS Service Manager integrated within AWP NHS Mental Health Teams in Swindon.

Qualified in many areas of mental health, including youth and adult mental health first aid, life coaching, counselling skills and one of only a handful of Suicide First Aid tutors in the country.

His dedication for helping others came after multiple childhood traumas and a turbulent adulthood wrecked by addictions and mental health problems, leading to multiple suicide attempts. He emerged a man with a mission to change the world of mental health, to ensure no one has to face adversity or challenges alone.

His work stems from personal experience of living with poor mental health, a mental illness and more importantly how to stay well and thrive after diagnosis.

Steve’s talks share his journey of moving on from addiction and trauma and how he turned his life around to achieve the success he has today. It’s his mission to help other’s empower their lives and realise their full potential.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Steve Carr to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Lauren Vaknine

Lauren Vaknine is an extraordinary writer, wellness campaigner, blogger and motivational speaker.

Lauren was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 2 and by 18, she was wheelchair-bound and riddled from head to toe with arthritis.

Lauren wrote My Enemy, My Friend, a memoir about her life with the disease and how she ultimately overcame it.

She now delivers talks nationally and internationally on how to attain optimum health in the most natural way for your body, how to become the best version of yourself and how to raise a healthy family in the modern day.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Lauren Vaknine to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Alex Staniforth

Record-breaking young endurance adventurer, author & fundraiser, empowering others to put mind over mountains.

Not only is Alex an inspirational adventurer, but also an inspirational advocate for those suffering with mental health and physical disabilities; having suffered from epilepsy, panic attacks, low confidence, bullying, depression, an eating disorder –and most profoundly –a stammer, Alex found confidence in the outdoors, which encouraged him to achieve his full potential.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Alex Staniforth to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Poorna Bell

An award-winning journalist, charismatic public speaker and published author, Poorna Bell works extensively across several areas including women’s journalism, women in business, wellness, mental health and champions issues affecting the BAME community.

Poorna’s acted as both a facilitator and guest at many mental health and wellness events, has been named as one of Balance magazine’s top 100 wellness personalities and has spoken on mental health for the NHS and at the Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit.

Trained in presentation at RADA, Poorna has presented in a number of formats from panel sessions to chairing conferences and has spoken on a variety of topics including women, mental health, men, BAME and social media, as well as having spoken at industry advertising and marketing events.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Poorna Bell to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Chris Thrall

After leaving the Royal Marines to run a successful business in Asia, Chris found himself homeless, suffering 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 expeditioned to eighty countries across seven continents and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

An extreme-endurance athlete, Chris recently ran an ultra-marathon a day for thirty-seven days, unsupported, the length of Britain, to raise awareness of the alarming rate of veterans 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 find out more and book mental health speaker Chris Thrall to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Mandy Saligari

Mandy Saligari is the host of the popular Channel 5 programme, Celebrities in Therapy. On the show, Mandy has interviewed the likes of Danniella Westbrook, Kerry Katona, Calum Best and Coleen Nolan. She explores every aspect of the celebrity’s past, from childhood to love affairs. She also assesses how their current celebrity status could be affecting their mental wellbeing.

Mandy is passionate about dispelling the social stigma attached to mental health and holds regular talks at schools on early intervention, addiction, emotional coping-mechanisms and self-esteem.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Mandy Saligari to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Simon Ong

Everything that Simon Alexander Ong does is built around inspiring people to see their world differently and igniting their imagination of what is truly possible so that they can lead purposeful lives, careers and businesses.

Simon’s aim is to educate, entertain and inspire as he believes the fastest way to absorb powerful insights and to see just what is truly possible is through experiential learning.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Simon Ong to speak go to his full bio page HERE

Dr Linda Papadopoulos

Dr Linda Papadopoulos has built an outstanding reputation in both academia and broadcasting. A hugely successful psychologist, author, keynote speaker, columnist, host and broadcaster, Dr Linda’s analysis of current affairs, trends and human behaviour is highly sought after and syndicated around the world.

Over two decades as a Chartered Psychologist, she has gained extensive experience in the counselling of individuals, couples and families and has established and headed successful post-graduate and doctoral programmes in psychology.

Further work includes the impact of social media on mental and cognitive health, which has received widespread recognition. She has sat on a number of advisory boards for corporations including Google and is an ambassador for Internet Matters, a not for profit organization advising parents on how to help children navigate the online world.

To find out more and book mental health speaker Dr Linda Papadopoulos to speak go to her full bio page HERE

Prof Tanya Byron

Tanya is a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in child and adolescent mental health. She has an NHS career spanning twenty years working in many areas of mental health.

Until 2003 she ran a national NHS beacon-awarded training programme for NHS and Social Care staff on Managing Aggression and Violence in the Professional context.

The authority Tanya wields over these current and vitally important topics always impresses audiences.

They come away understanding how they can show resilience and in doing so, foster resilience in children.

She helps them to understand how our brains work, in particular the developing brain and how we can face the common challenges that children and young people are facing in terms of their mental health and wellbeing.

She can also explain what is driving mental health problems in modern society and the best ways in which we – as individuals, employers, parents and educational institutions – can sufficiently support those around us and in our care.