Honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with our Top Mental Health Speakers

Now more than ever, de-mystifying and de-stigmatizing mental health are incredibly important. As a whole, we have experienced a collective trauma this past year as we coped with a pandemic and all of its consequences. As Mental Health Awareness Month transpires, we want to highlight some of our advocates and speakers who champion the movement to normalize taking care of our mental health.

Kevin Briggs, Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge

As a former California Patrol Highway Officer in San Francisco, Kevin talked hundreds of people off the ledge of the Golden Gate Bridge. His challenging, but rewarding efforts saved countless people who were contemplating suicide by convincing them to climb back over the rail and give life another chance.

Because of impact on the community, he was given the nickname “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge,” the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Public Service Award, the 2013 ASIS International Outstanding Officer Award, and the Heroes Award, given by the Northern California Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International.

After a 23 year career with the California Highway Patrol, Briggs retired to dedicate his life to promote mental health awareness around the country and across the world through Pivotal Points, an organization he founded to promote Suicide Prevention, Crisis Management, and Leadership Skills.

Ben Nemtin, Member of MTV’s hit show The Buried Life

After a decade-long battle with depression, Ben decided to change his life. In an attempt to feel more alive, he created the world’s greatest bucket list with his three best friends. They borrowed a rickety old RV and crisscrossed North America, achieving the unthinkable. And most importantly, every time they accomplished a dream, they helped a complete stranger cross something off their bucket list. From playing basketball with President Obama to having a beer with Prince Harry, from reuniting a father and son after seventeen years to surprising a girl with a much-needed bionic arm—Ben’s bucket list quest has inspired millions to realize their true potential.

He now speaks out about rethinking mental health and helps his audience understand why they matter and how valuable their life really is.

Chris Bashinelli, Expert on Creating Global Connectedness Through Trust

After his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Chris realized there is nothing anyone can do to control the world around us. This was a life-altering moment for him as he had dedicated his career to documentary making in order to change the world for the better.

But from this hardship came a new perspective. In order to change our world, we must change our minds. Chris’s life took on a new mission to help our society change the way they think. As the Executive Producer and Host of Bridge the Gap on PBS and the National Geographic Channel, Chris has taken millions of viewers on meaningful adventures around the world to instill a sense of wonder and global connectedness.

Sara Ross, Founder & Chief Vitality Officer at BrainAMPED

Sara is a leading expert in work-life balance. She has created BrainAMPED, a research and strategy firm dedicated to redefining how we succeed at work and thrive in life by sharing brain-based, vitality-enhancing strategies to create healthier, happier high-performing leaders and workplaces.

She takes a science-based approach to creating happier employees and focuses on emotional intelligence’s role in the workplace.

Kevin Berthia, Suicide Survivor and Mental Health Advocate

Kevin is here to break stigmas around depression and mental health. After a lifetime of avoiding and rejecting his own depression, he was pushed to his limits and found himself standing on a wire on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge’s railing.

A California Highway Patrol Officer, Kevin Briggs, found him teetering on life or death and simply listened. Berthia spent 90 minutes talking to Briggs and letting out 20 years of grief, hardships, and pain. It was this openness that brought him back to safety and guided him to help others address their mental health.

Pandit Dasa, Author of Urban Monk and Founder of Work Mindful Corp.

Pandit lived in New York City for 15 years as a monk. His time living in an urban world but enacting old world beliefs taught him many lessons in mindful leadership. He melds an eastern religion and way of life with a western approach to business to create a more effective, efficient leadership style.

His speaking will help you to regulate your emotions, understand your mind and thoughts, celebrate those around you, and meditate using breathing and focusing techniques.

Tom Farley, Former President of The Chris Farley Foundation

Tom Farley is the brother of beloved actor and comedian Chris Farley. After Chris passed away due to substance abuse and undiagnosed mental health disorders Tom created the Chris Farley Foundation. Through this program, he established the use of humor and other innovative communication methods as a means to deliver messages to kids, teens, and young adults on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. His first project for the Foundation was the launch of their website, and the production of two nationally run, award-winning commercials that featured the cast of Saturday Night Live.

To honor his brother, Tom is now a mental health and substance abuse advocate, destigmatizing and spreading awareness of both.

Dennis Gillan, Mental Health Advocate

Dennis Gillan started as an ordinary guy with an extraordinary story of loss, perseverance, and healing. Dennis has been deeply touched by suicide after the losses of two of his brothers to suicide 11 years apart. After years of sitting on the sidelines, he jumped into helping those in need by working on the suicide prevention hotline and eventually got involved with several non-profits that take on mental health issues and this allows him to lobby lawmakers and raise awareness by sharing his story.

He is now a national thought leader on the topic of Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Advocacy and speaks globally to spread awareness and make a change.

Herschel Walker, Legendary NFL Athlete & Mental Health Advocate

Herschel has a legendary career in collegiate and professional football, winning countless awards and championships. Growing up with childhood hardships and growing into a career in which mental health is ignored and even looked down upon, Herschel had no outlet for the beginning of his life.

It wasn’t until much later that he authored the book Breaking Free, an account of the joys and hardships of his childhood and his remarkable football career. He is now an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and a testimonial of human strength and ability to persevere.

Jenn Lim, CEO & Chief Happiness Officer of Delivering Happiness

Jenn Lim is the CEO and CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) of Delivering Happiness, a company she co-founded with Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos.com. Their goal is to inspire science-based happiness, passion, and purpose at work, home, and in everyday life.

After writing the first culture book for Zappos.com and helping them to build their award-winning culture, Jenn decided to help other corporations to build a happier workforce.

Bring one of our dedicated mental health advocates to your next event to help build a healthier and happier world.