Jonny Benjamin MBE is an award-winning media influencer and mental health campaigner, best known for his campaign Find Mike which searched for the stranger who stopped him from committing suicide in 2008. Since such a dark period of his life, Jonny has invested his time into improving the mental health... Read more
Jonny Benjamin MBE is an award-winning media influencer and mental health campaigner, best known for his campaign Find Mike which searched for the stranger who stopped him from committing suicide in 2008. Since such a dark period of his life, Jonny has invested his time into improving the mental health of others. As a mental health speaker, he is dedicated to spreading a message of awareness, understanding and acceptance for not just sufferers, but those around them too. He travels to business conferences and school events, to promote the importance of wellbeing and to champion speaking out about mental health and illness.
Jonny has been struggling with mental health disorders since the age of 10, initially diagnosed with auditory hallucinations. As a teenager, Jonny was later diagnosed with depression, and when he was 20 he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. A combination of Schizophrenia and Bipolar, Jonny spent spells as a patient in the hospital and was driven to suicidal thoughts. Living to tell the tale of his disorders, Jonny has since created a series of informative YouTube videos that document the condition of Schizoaffective Disorder and his experiences with the disorder. On one occasion, Jonny escaped from the hospital with the intention of ending his life, however, he was stopped by a man named Neil Laybourn, who was later found after a viral campaign entitled Find Mike.
The social media mission garnered a wealth of media coverage, with Jonny desperate to find and thank the man who essentially saved his life. Partnered with the charity Rethink Mental Illness, he raised awareness of the power of words, and how stopping and talking to people about their problems could, in some cases, save their lives. Since the success of his campaign, Jonny has also launched ThinkWell. ThinkWell is a mental health programme, created especially for educational use and has impacted thousands of secondary school pupils in the UK. Jonny has also appeared in a series of interviews and features and presented documentaries for the likes of Channel 4 and BBC Three. Alongside media appearances, Jonny has also authored the book The Stranger on the Bridge: My Journey from Despair to Hope and The Book of Hope: 101 Voices on Overcoming Adversity. Recently, Jonny has also founded Beyond, a mental health charity with a vision to provide improved support to young people regarding their mental health and wellbeing.
Now a popular mental health speaker for a range of events, Jonny is booked to share his own experiences of mental health and illness. He has shared his emotive journey with clients spanning all manner of industries, from academia to healthcare and prisons. Using both film and images to illustrate his story, Jonny has previously worked with clients such as KPMG, Facebook, JP Morgan Chase and Netflix on creating open conversations surrounding mental health. Committed to challenging stigma, Jonny is also passionate about empowering learning on a variety of social issues. When looking for a leading mental health speaker who can share their personal experiences, hire Jonny Benjamin today.
In recognition of his passion and dedication to raising awareness of mental health, Jonny Benjamin was named one of the most Popular Keynote Speakers for World Mental Health Day – a testament to his inspiring story.
Jonny Benjamin and Neil Laybourn deliver a powerful duo session, combining Jonny’s lived experience with Neil’s perspective as the person who intervened. Known for their authenticity, compassion, and ability to connect with audiences, they offer moving yet practical insights into supporting mental health. Their talks emphasise empathy, human connection, and how even small acts of kindness can save lives, making them truly inspirational and influential voices in the mental health movement.
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You can book Jonny Benjamin through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Jonny's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Jonny Benjamin's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Jonny tailored to your event.
Jonny Benjamin speaks on Health, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Wellbeing. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Jonny to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Jonny Benjamin for events worldwide, subject to Jonny's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Jonny Benjamin is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Jonny can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Jonny Benjamin on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Jonny can offer.
Jonny Benjamin delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Jonny Benjamin's areas of expertise include Health, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Wellbeing. To get a clear sense of Jonny's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Jonny Benjamin can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Health, Leadership & Motivation, Mental Health, Motivation, Wellbeing is relevant. Details of Jonny's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Jonny Benjamin is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Jonny Benjamin, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Jonny's current availability for your dates.