Suicide Prevention Speakers

Drew Robinson is an MLB infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. On April 16, 2020, Robinson survived a suicide attempt with a handgun, resulting in the loss of his senses of smell and taste, and his right eye.

American Actress and mental health advocate. Grandaughter of Ernest Hemingway.

After more than a decade in the trenches battling his own mental health and abuse demons, Johnny Crowder has emerged as one of America’s exciting new voices on resilience, support, and people-first leadership.

Kate Fagan is a sports reporter and commentator, who last worked for ESPN. Previously, she worked as the Philadelphia Inquirer's beat writer for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. Kate has also written two books and is a NYT best selling author.

Darryll Stinson — 2xTEDx speaker — Suicide Survivor - Engaging Speaker

As an international Suicide Prevention and Mental Health advocate, Sergeant Kevin Briggs’ story and lived experiences have been featured at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design 2014 Conference as a TED Talk, Yahoo News, USA Today, and many more.

Erika is an expert in personal development, leadership training, conflict management skills for women, DEI+B, and domestic abuse & escape. She has overcome domestic abuse and a suicide attempt to build the Women Thriving Fearlessly Expo.

Dennis Gillan is a national thought leader on the topic of suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. He travels internationally speaking, raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.

PEOPLE Magazine called Mark “one of Canada’s most prominent mental health advocates”. He's previously served on the board of the Mental Health Commission of Canada, and as the youngest ever president of a Canadian Mental Health Association division.

As an accomplished therapist, workshop facilitator, panelist, board member and author, Whitney is on a mission to shift the narrative of mental healthcare in black and brown communities. She is a sought-after speaker, counselor and podcast guest.

Kevin Berthia is a suicide survivor and prevention advocate. Kevin pours his heart into sharing his powerful story of growing up in silence, always feeling the need to hide the unbearable pain he was in.

Amanda Lipp is a documentary filmmaker and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of mental health, storytelling, and technology. She is the Chief Strategy Officer at Peer Mental Health, Director and Owner of Lipp Studios, Founder at The Giving Gallery, and Research Associate at the Center for Applied Research Solutions. Amanda has produced over 80 short documentary films about mental health and social impact causes. She is focused on elevating complex topics like youth schizophrenia, mass trauma, and recreation therapy. Since age 18, she has given over 150 talks and workshops around the U.S. sharing mental health resources, films, and her own personal story. Amanda is passionate about mental health leadership, policy change, and tying films to mental health research studies. She serves on the Mental Health Advisory Panel at Google, and the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Committee (ISMICC) created by Congress to advise on federal mental health policy. Amanda formerly served on the board of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the largest grassroots mental health nonprofit in the U.S. She also advises the Technology And Adolescent Mental Wellness Program at the University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics. Amanda graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Human Development. Her hobbies include mountain biking, rock climbing, and snowboarding. 'Think Outside the Crayon Box' is the theme that sculpts Amanda’s talks and workshops. While in the psychiatric hospital, a thoughtful nurse handed Amanda a box of crayons. This small gesture was a pivotal moment in Amanda’s healing, and kickstarted her journey becoming a young leader in mental health care and documentary filmmaker. Since age 18, Amanda has been giving talks to universities, high schools, non-profits, and healthcare systems around the U.S.  The goal is simple: for audiences to think more deeply about mental health for themselves, and the communities they live and work in. Amanda weaves in her own personal story, tools around wellness and identity, creative exercises using crayons, and shares films she's produced featuring people's mental health stories. In addition to mental health events, Amanda is also a great speaker for LGBTQ+ identity events. Says Amanda: "Coming out as gay was - and is - a big part of my mental health. I now realize that my struggles growing up correlated with my struggles navigating my sexual orientation and identity. I came to learn that the likelihood of sexual minority death by suicide is estimated to be 2-7x times greater than heterosexual youth. This is why I believe mental health and LGBTQ+ are two sides of the same coin, and collaboration and research between the two is critically important." 

Greg Vogt is a keynote speaker and author on mental health, and faith. In his engaging talks, Greg details his journey from living a typical childhood to overcoming depression, suicide attempts, & spending a year in a mental health treatment center.

Michael Landsberg is a legend in Canadian Broadcasting. Since that show in 2009, Michael has become one of Canada’s most vocal mental health advocates.