In a month synonymous with Blue Monday, Bell Lets’ Talk Day, and new year’s resolutions, it’s no surprise that some of our most requested topics in January centre around mental health and wellness.
We’ve put together a list of recommended speakers who speak to mental health from a lived and medical perspective, as well as workplace wellness and burnout.
Mental Health
Sharing their personal journeys and expertise, these speakers seek to break the stigma surrounding mental health and provide support and strategies for those struggling.
Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is a resident doctor in psychiatry at the University of Toronto. The only Black medical student in her graduating class, Chika is a vocal advocate for improving disparities in Black health and confronting institutional discrimination.
In her customizable keynotes, Chika speaks to advancing efforts and equity in wellness and mental health, drawing on her medical background specializing in psychiatry, experience as a Black female doctor, and advocacy work for diversity and inclusion.
Silken Laumann is no stranger to adversity. While at the peak of her game, this four-time Olympic medallist and world champion single sculls rower, had a boat crash into her leg, almost ending her career. It took Silken years to work up the courage to share publicly her struggle with depression, which she chronicled in her bestselling memoir, Unsinkable.
Today, Silken is the founder and president of a visionary not-for-profit, Unsinkable, that runs programs centred on mental and physical well-being. In her heartfelt, honest keynotes, she dives deep into her mental health journey to help audiences learn how they too can overcome life’s challenges and live a life of passion, contribution, and meaning.
In his first year of university, Ben Nemtin was unexpectedly hit with a depression that forced him to drop out. Since then, he has radically changed his life, co-founding The Buried Life Movement. As a mental health advocate, Ben believes the stigma around mental illness can only be broken through open, honest conversations.
By showing how his vulnerabilities have become his strengths in his keynotes, Ben gives audiences the courage to talk about their internal battles. He also stresses how important it is to reach out for help and shares the tools that help him cope with the stresses of life.
Burnout and Workplace Wellness
Burnout is one of the most talked about topics these days as the workforce burnout rates have reached an all-time high during the pandemic. With an emphasis on workplace wellness, these speakers can provide insight and strategies to remedy burnout and prioritize self-care to prevent further burnout.
A behavioural change expert, Dr. Lisa Bélanger believes an organization’s greatest asset is its people and shows leaders and teams how to build supportive workplaces that optimize performance, productivity, and innovation.
The last two years have emphasized that change is the only constant, and Lisa shares the behaviours and tools we can implement to optimize our ability to think clearly, be productive and resilient, stay driven, and avoid being overwhelmed even in high-stress situations.
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe specializes in resiliency and workplace wellness. With stress, uncertainty, and unrest at a record high, Robyne’s keynotes are both inspirational and practical. She introduces her theory “Everyday Resiliency: The 5 Pillars” and shares strategies to help foster each pillar within ourselves and others through research-informed, accessible storytelling, and real-world applications.
Her interactive and engaging presentation help participants regain a sense of calm, while equipping them with new daily systems to increase productivity and decrease overwhelm.
In his interactive and upbeat presentations, Anthony McLean offers effective self-care strategies, practical coping skills for stress, and proven resources to avoid burnout. He reminds audiences that mental health is a journey we take as a community, and that when we support each other, we break the stigma around mental health and empower those who need it most.
Anthony also speaks to the intersection of mental health and anti-racism, helping audiences understand the impact that systemic racism has on mental health and how one can approach mental health and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) through the lens of empathy.
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