The Best Mental Health Speakers To Book For Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

What is Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place this year from the 13th to the 19th of May, 2024. It is widely accepted that despite some advances in acceptance and awareness in recent years, it is hugely important that workplaces continue to further positive approaches towards mental health.

First established by UK charity The Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week provides an opportunity for everyone to focus on achieving good mental health. The theme for 2024’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.

Most people have experienced loneliness in their lives, but the Covid-19 pandemic has caused what has been described as a ‘loneliness epidemic’. – a result of sustained periods of social isolation.

The Official Best Mental Health Speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week

Kellie Maloney
Ayo Sokale
Frank Bruno
Andreena Leeanne
Patrick Vernon
Katie Piper
Martine Wright
Jordan Stephens
Nigel Owens
Dr Ranj Singh
Ruby Wax
Brene Brown

Top Mental Health Speakers to Book:

Kellie Maloney

Kellie Maloney is a proud advocate for the transgender community. Having spent much of her life in boxing and becoming one of the biggest boxing promoters ever to grace the sport, Kellie announced her transition in 2014.

She has since focused on raising awareness for the issues faced by transgender people including the mental health obstacles and fears frequently faced by members of her community. When speaking for mental health awareness week, Kellie speaks openly about her transition, and the support she received from her family.

Ayo Sokale

Ayo Sokale has already forged a successful career as an engineer, currently a Delegated Engineer for the Institution of Civil Engineers and named by The Independent as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering.

In recent years, Ayo was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. After living most of her life without a formal diagnosis, she has a unique perspective on mental health. When booked as a speaker, she offers an empathetic voice to anyone going through mental health challenges.

Frank Bruno

Frank Bruno is the former WBC Heavyweight titleholder and European Heavyweight Title holder, holding a 95% knockout rate from his wins as a professional boxer. Not long after his retirement from boxing Frank struggled with his mental health, resulting in being sectioned twice. He has since been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, and in his book Let Me Be Frank he details his struggles with mental health.

When booked as a speaker, Frank is passionate in his support of a positive approach to mental health focussing on reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

Andreena Leeanne

Andreena Leeanne is an experienced workshop facilitator, author, and advocate for diversity and inclusion. Having experienced homelessness, sexual abuse, and mental health issues herself Andreena has a unique viewpoint to offer. She is a passionate and progressive voice full of empathy for people going through challenging periods in their lives.

She holds roles as a trustee or ambassador of several charities including Action Breaks Silence and Violence Against Women & Girls. Feedback from Andreena’s mental health awareness programmes highlights the many takeaways, and openness created by her approach.

Patrick Vernon

Patrick Vernon is an activist, campaigner and founder of both 100 Great Black Britons and Every Generation Media. He is a diversity and inclusion campaigner and an advocate for the progression of mental health discussions. With over 2 decades of experience addressing inequality he is well equipped to systematically address the problems associated with mental illness.

Vogue have listed Patrick as one of the top 20 campaigners in the UK – for mental health awareness week Patrick Vernon is able to combine his experience and the diversity and inclusion space with his mental health expertise to remarkable effect.

Katie Piper

Katie Piper has an extraordinary story. After surviving a horrific acid attack in 2008 she has gone on to influence the lives of millions of people across the UK with her Katie Piper F oundation, books and documentaries. Throughout her remarkable ordeal, she made a conscious effort to support as many young people and women as possible.

Her rehabilitative centre brought pioneering treatment from France to the UK. She was appointed OBE in 2022 for her work supporting victims of disfigurement. For mental health awareness week, there are few more recognisable mental health advocates than Katie Piper.

Martine Wright

Survivor of the 7/7 London attacks, Martine Wright went on to win with the British Paralympic sitting volleyball team. She endured 10 months of surgery, difficult rehabilitation period as long as dealing with and overcoming losing her limbs.

When booked as a speaker, Martine is able to relay the mental struggle of dealing with and overcoming the horrific injuries she suffered through no fault of her own. She has contagious positive energy with each positive engagement leaving audiences inspired and motivated.

Jordan Stephens

Member of hugely popular band Rizzle Kicks, Jordan Stephens has built a reputation as a musical innovator but also a mental health campaigner. He founded the #IamWhole Mental Health Campaign in 2016 in order to battle the stigma around mental health.

Through music and social media he continues to raise awareness for mental health and pushes for a collective approach towards positive mental health. When booked as a speaker he is able to draw on his experiences both in his personal life and his experience in the music industry on the subject of mental health.

Nigel Owens

Nigel Owens is the World Record holder for the most test matches refereed in Rugby, he is a former international referee and one of the leading LGBT voices in the United Kingdom. He was voted Gay Sports Personality of the Decade at the Stonewall Awards in 2015.

Nigel grew up suffering from Bulimia and bullying in school, he survived a suicide attempt in his youth and now uses those experiences to help as many people as he can with his mental health activism. Nigel has a natural charisma that is appreciated by audiences whenever he delivers a speech.

Dr Ranj Singh

British Doctor, Dr Ranj Singh is a well-respected, mental health, fitness and wellbeing champion. Dr Ranj is most famous for his roles as the resident doctor on daytime television programmes This Money and Save Money: Good Health.

He is a multi-talented individual and a proponent of LGBT issues including those associated with mental wellbeing. Booked as a speaker Dr Ranj is a speaker with the medical know-how to help address mental illness this Mental Health Awareness Week

Ruby Wax

Ruby Wax is an American actress and mental health campaigner with one of the most celebrated voices on the subject. She built a hugely successful career over 25 performing for BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Ruby was awarded a master’s in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy and her inspired Ted Talk ‘What’s So Funny About Mental Illness’ has amassed millions of views. Her continued campaigning has earned her an OBE for her services to mental health. For mental health awareness week, Ruby is a leading figure with a unique combination of academic and personal experience.

Brene Brown

Brené Brown is a lecturer and researcher with a wealth of experience. She is the author of five New York Times best-selling books, she has over 20 years of experience as a Professor at the University of Houston and her TED talk has racked up over 45 million views. She has a unique ability to share ideas and connect with audiences on a deeper level. She has a fantastic reputation as a life coach and thought leader on the subject of emotional intelligence. For Mental Health Awareness Week Brené is masterful in her delivery with academic and professional expertise she is a fantastic choice.

Book a Mental Health Speaker Today!

If you are interested in booking one of our talented mental health speakers for Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, get in touch with one of our dedicated booking agents by filling out our online contact form or by calling directly on 0203 9816 297.