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Ben West is one of the most engaging and inspiring young male voices in the UK today.
A mental health campaigner, best selling author, and strategic advisor, he has become a leading force in shaping national conversations and policies around mental health, particularly among young people.
In 2018, Ben’s life changed forever when he very unexpectedly lost his younger brother to suicide. He was just 17 at the time, left to navigate overwhelming grief, guilt, and confusion. Seven years on, Ben has channelled that heartbreak into purpose, becoming one of the UK’s most powerful young advocates for mental health.
Ben brings a rare and deeply informed perspective. His work draws on personal experience, frontline involvement, and professional collaboration across the healthcare, education, and corporate sectors. He has played a key role in making mental health first aid training compulsory for teachers and continues to drive change in mental health support and education across the UK.
His best selling book This Book Could Save Your Life (HarperCollins) has reached and inspired thousands. Ben is a familiar face on BBC One’s Morning Live and Sunday Morning Live, and he uses his social media platforms to speak openly and constructively about mental health, stigma, and the power of vulnerability.
Ben West has hosted and presented numerous impactful documentaries for the BBC, including a three part series for Health Awareness Week in May 2024. Topics have included body dysmorphia in men, suicide awareness across different religious and ethical perspectives, safeguarding children’s mental health in schools, and tackling the rise in assaults on road workers. He was also interviewed by Jameela Jamil for the viral Snapchat series I Want To Get Better, and has featured on Lorraine (ITV), Private Parts, Dr Alex’s Stompcast, and Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place.
As a keynote speaker, Ben empowers audiences to embrace vulnerability, create mentally healthier workplaces, and implement practical changes to support themselves and others. His talks are a powerful combination of personal storytelling, lived experience, and actionable insights, helping people feel more confident in recognising when someone is struggling and knowing how to respond.
Ben’s social media presence and storytelling skills have led to collaborations with brands such as Dacia and LADBible, and he has written for The Times, The Sunday Times Magazine, and Men’s Health.
In addition to public speaking, Ben West works closely with businesses to develop sustainable wellbeing strategies and advises on mental health leadership at board level. He is a member of the brand board at Wagamama, where he contributes to policies on mental health, DEI, and sustainability.
He is also an accredited Mental Health First Aid instructor, having recently trained and certified a team at Pfizer UK, and serves as a Strategic Advisor to one of the UK’s largest NHS mental health trusts. Ben is also a crisis support volunteer with Shout, the national mental health textline, providing urgent one to one support for people in crisis.
Please thank Ben on the College’s behalf for contributing so positively to our event, he was awesome and helped shape the narrative perfectly.
A huge thank you Ben for presenting at our recent One Voice conference organised for students in the Marches Academy Trust. Your participation added immense value to the event, and your 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.
