Ben West
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Devotes his life to mental health awareness and suicide prevention
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Petitioned to make mental health first aid a compulsory part of teacher training
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Appeared on popular podcasts and written a book, This Book Could Save Your Life
At just 17, Ben lost his brother (15) Sam to suicide. Since then, he has devoted his life to campaigning for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
His award-winning work started when he noticed that teachers were not being properly prepared to deal with mental health issues in the classroom. He started a petition, that was signed by over 300,000 people, to make mental health first aid a compulsory part of teacher training. This was intended to allow teachers the ability and courage to approach students and intervene early to help. Ben has since worked with the government and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to accelerate its impact.
In 2022, Ben released his bestselling book, This Book Could Save Your Life – Breaking The Silence Around The Mental Health Emergency to critical and public acclaim. He has also written for numerous publications, including two features in The Sunday Times Magazine.
In 2023, Ben was the focus of an episode for the brand new Snapchat series, I Want To Get Better, being interviewed by Jameela Jamil. Since then he has made his presenting debuts on both Morning Live and Sunday Morning Live, both on BBC One. Ben even presented a 3 part series for Mental Health Awareness Week in May 2024, covering topics like body dysmorphia in men, religious and ethical approaches to suicide prevention and children’s mental health safeguarding.
He has appeared on the smash hit podcast, Private Parts, for their Mental Health Week Special, and Dr Alex’s Stompcast Podcast.
Ben is a powerful and inspirational keynote speaker. He fosters a number of long term working relationships with businesses working with their board advising on DEI and mental health policy. He is also a fully qualified Mental Health England First Aid Instructor and has delivered a number of bespoke courses to businesses.
Speaking clips
Speaking clips
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Please thank Ben on the College’s behalf for contributing so positively to our event, he was awesome and helped shape the narrative perfectly.
Ben’s participation added immense value to the event, and his insights truly helped spark discussion around mental health awareness and support. Your commitment to fostering a supportive and educational environment is commendable, and it left a lasting impression on everyone present.
Clients often ask about purchasing books for giveaways and delegate packs. Below you’ll find a selection of products by Ben West. Click the images to view on Amazon's website. For bulk orders, please speak with your Booking Agent.
How to book Ben West for your event
To book Ben West, please submit an online enquiry to booking.agent@nmp.co.uk or contact one of our booking agents on +44 (0)20 3822 0003.
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