Over one billion people live with a mental health condition, with anxiety and depression taking a heavy human and economic toll. Hiring a mental health speaker isn’t just compassionate; it’s good business. The right speaker can reduce stigma, inspire openness, and give teams tools to thrive.
How is Mental Health Impacting Business?
Poor mental health is estimated to cost UK employers £42-45 billion every year, through absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover. Beyond financial loss, struggling employees are less engaged, creative and productive. Businesses that choose to ignore mental health and wellbeing risk a higher rate of burnout and a lower level of morale. Businesses that prioritise mental health see stronger performance, loyalty and retention. Supporting mental health and wellbeing is no longer optional – it is essential for sustainable business growth and a healthy workplace culture.
How Can I Champion Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace?
- Encourage open conversations about mental health through workshops, forums, and leadership support – an expert mental health keynote speaker can help!
- Provide access to wellbeing resources, such as counselling, mental health first aiders, or employee assistance programmes.
- Promote work-life balance by setting realistic workloads, flexible hours, and clear boundaries.
- Train managers to recognise signs of stress and respond with empathy, ensuring early intervention and ongoing support.
Who are the Top Mental Health Keynote Speakers to Hire for 2026 Events?
1.) Katie Piper
Katie Piper OBE is hired as a leading mental health and wellbeing speaker for her ability to turn unimaginable trauma into lasting hope. After surviving an acid attack that changed her life, she rebuilt her confidence and used her experience to help others do the same. Through The Katie Piper Foundation, she supports people living with burns and scars, helping them rediscover purpose and self-worth. Her talks explore healing, resilience, and self-acceptance, showing that recovery begins with mindset. Audiences connect deeply with her authenticity and optimism, leaving inspired to embrace change, overcome fear, and approach mental wellbeing with compassion and courage.
2.) Martine Wright
Martine Wright is one of the UK’s most powerful mental health speakers, drawing on her extraordinary journey of survival and recovery. As the last rescued survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, Martine lost both legs and nearly her life, yet her story is defined by resilience, not tragedy. She speaks with warmth and honesty about trauma, purpose, and mental strength, showing how she rebuilt her life—becoming a Paralympian, mother, and MBE. Martine helps audiences understand how to manage change, find gratitude, and grow after a crisis, making her a deeply inspiring voice for mental wellbeing and post-traumatic growth.
3.) Professor Steve Peters
Professor Steve Peters is one of the UK’s leading psychiatrists and mental health speakers. As Founder and CEO of Chimp Management, he helps individuals and organisations understand and improve the workings of the human mind to achieve peak performance and emotional wellbeing. A practising medical doctor, Steve has worked with elite athletes, including the British Cycling Team and England Football, as well as major corporations. He is also the author of The Chimp Paradox, recognised as the bestselling self-help book of all time, which explores how to manage one’s inner emotions for success, balance, and mental resilience in high-pressure environments.
4.) Ruby Wax
Ruby Wax is one of the UK’s most respected mental health speakers, known for her honesty, humour, and ability to make complex science relatable. As an ambassador for the British Neuroscience Association, Mind, and SANE, she has dedicated her career to raising awareness and removing stigma around mental illness. With a master’s degree in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford, Ruby blends neuroscience with her trademark wit to educate audiences on how the mind works. Her bestselling books, Sane New World: Taming the Mind and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, have inspired thousands to take control of their mental wellbeing.
5.) Jason Fox
Jason Fox is hired as a mental health speaker for his powerful insight into resilience and recovery. A former Special Forces Officer, Jason draws on years of service in the most hostile environments, where his mental strength was tested to its limits. After being diagnosed with PTSD, he began openly sharing his journey to help others understand the hidden impact of trauma. His talks blend raw honesty with practical lessons in self-belief and endurance, inspiring audiences to face challenges head-on. Through his bestselling books and television work, Jason continues to break the stigma surrounding mental health and emotional vulnerability.
6.) Dame Kelly Holmes
Dame Kelly Holmes is a powerful mental health keynote speaker whose story embodies resilience, authenticity, and courage. After serving in the British Army, she battled depression and self-doubt while recovering from career-threatening injuries on her path to becoming a double Olympic gold medallist in Athens 2004. Her openness about those struggles, including her later-life journey of coming out as gay, has made her a trusted voice on mental health and identity. Drawing on her lived experiences, Dame Kelly speaks honestly about perseverance, purpose, and the importance of seeking help—empowering audiences to build strength through vulnerability.
7.) Ollie Ollerton
Ollie Ollerton is hired as a mental health speaker for his unmatched insight into resilience forged through years in the Special Forces. As a Combat Frogman in the SAS, he learned to perform under relentless pressure, facing life-and-death situations that tested every aspect of his mental strength. After leaving the military, Ollie battled depression and alcohol addiction, experiences that deepened his empathy and understanding of mental health struggles. Now, through his talks and his work with BreakPoint, he helps audiences harness persistence, self-awareness, and focus to overcome their own challenges, proving that the toughest battles are often fought within the mind.
8.) Dr Alex George
Dr Alex George is one of the UK’s most recognisable mental health advocates. As the Government’s Youth Mental Health Ambassador, he campaigns tirelessly to give young people better access to mental health support in schools. His collaborations with leading charities such as YoungMinds, Mind and the Anna Freud Centre highlight his commitment to improving early intervention and education around mental wellbeing. Drawing on his experience as a former A&E doctor, Alex brings empathy, insight and authority to his talks. His openness about his own mental health and his passion for change make him a trusted and inspiring speaker.
9.) Samantha Clarke
Samantha Clarke is a leading mental health speaker known for her work in positive psychology and her bestselling book Love It Or Leave It. Drawing on science and personal experience, she helps people build healthier relationships with their work and wellbeing. As a Faculty Member at The School of Life and Positive Psychologist for Beam, Samantha guides global audiences to find meaning, balance and happiness in their careers. Her talks, shaped by her own journey through chronic pain, encourage people to create workplaces that nourish rather than drain them, inspiring lasting personal and professional fulfilment.
10.) Gareth Thomas
Gareth Thomas is hired as a mental health speaker for his powerful honesty and empathy. After publicly revealing his HIV diagnosis, he spoke openly about the fear, anxiety, and shame he once felt, and the freedom that came with acceptance. His story resonates with anyone facing stigma or isolation. Gareth’s talks highlight how mental wellbeing can suffer under secrecy and judgment, and how openness can rebuild confidence and connection. Through his campaigns, including TackleHIV, he continues to challenge misconceptions and advocate for HIV-positive people. Audiences value his courage, humour, and message that vulnerability can be the foundation of real strength.
Hire a Leading Mental Health Speaker Today!
If you are interested in hiring a powerful mental health speaker for your next conference or event, contact the London Keynote Speakers Agency today! Give one of our expert booking agents a call on 0203 9580428, or complete our contact form, and an expert will be in touch shortly.
