As we all know, life happens! Any day of the week, major things can happen, or just one more thing can tip a person’s mental health over the edge. So while we have one day per year to promote R U OK, being on the lookout for signs that your loved ones, friends, or colleagues are not their normal self, and then taking the time to check in and really listen, can save a life.
R U OK Day provides a great opportunity for your organisation to remind everyone of the importance of looking out for one another. Hosting an R U OK event gives you access to additional resources to help you, whether you are hosting a morning tea, having a BBQ, incorporating the message into an annual conference, or just bringing it up in your daily huddle.
R U OK day can provide a great reason for getting the team together, to help look after your entire work force.
A great way to underpin your R U OK? Day is with a guest speaker. A professional guest speaker with the experience and knowledge of how to communicate the R U OK? message, will be impactful. This is a message everyone needs to hear!
The following motivational speakers are standouts for an R U OK event, but speakers well-equipped to handle this message are booked out quickly, so it’s important to get in early!
Top 10 R U OK? Day Mental Health Speakers
Mark Visser
Mark Visser is synonymous with pushing boundaries and conquering the seemingly impossible. As a big wave surfer who has ridden some of the world’s most treacherous waves, Mark understands resilience, mental fortitude, and the importance of facing challenges head-on. But beyond the thrill of the ocean, Mark has also navigated his own personal storms, giving him a unique and powerful perspective on the significance of connection and checking in with ourselves and others. Mark will share his incredible journey and insights, reminding us all of the strength we find in vulnerability and the simple yet profound act of asking, “Are you okay?”
Chelsea Pottenger
Prepare to be inspired by Chelsea Pottenger, a powerhouse of positive psychology and a passionate advocate for mental wellbeing. As a leading expert in the field, Chelsea brings a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to help us navigate the complexities of our inner lives.
Chelsea’s insights aren’t just theoretical; they’re deeply rooted in her own experiences and a genuine desire to empower others. With her warm and engaging approach, Chelsea will guide your team through the importance of fostering a supportive environment and being equipped with the tools to not only ask “Are you okay?” but to truly understand and respond with empathy and care. Get ready to gain valuable perspectives and actionable steps towards building a more connected and mentally healthy community.
Emma Murray
Emma is a leading high-performance mindset coach renowned for her work with elite athletes and teams. Her unique approach focuses on cultivating mental strength, resilience, and the crucial ability to navigate pressure – skills that are vital at work but also in our everyday lives. Emma’s insights will provide your team with fresh perspectives on how to build mental fitness and foster a culture where open and honest conversations about wellbeing are not only encouraged but are a source of strength.
Emma will provide practical tools and empowering strategies, to help your team champion connection and embed checking in with one another.
Barry Du Bois
With his trademark warmth, authenticity, and down-to-earth approach, Barry Du Bois will connect deeply with your team. Having had his own personal battles with cancer and mental health challenges, Barry speaks from a place of genuine vulnerability as well as resilience.
His message will weave together practical strategies for coping with life’s difficulties, the importance of human connection and seeking support, and the power of open and honest conversations. Barry’s engaging storytelling and relatable experiences will create a safe and encouraging space, reminding everyone that it’s okay not to be okay and that reaching out can make all the difference. Barry will emphasise the simple yet profound act of checking in with others, not just on R U OK? Day, but every day.
Ciara Lancaster
Ciara brings a powerful blend of lived experience and professional insight to the conversation around mental health for R U OK? Day. As someone who has navigated their own mental health journey and now works as a mental health advocate and speaker, Ciara connects with audiences on a deeply human level. Her raw honesty, personal stories of struggle and recovery, will help foster empathy and reduce stigma sometimes associated with mental health.
Ciara will emphasise the importance of early intervention, building supportive networks, and empowering individuals to seek help without shame. You can expect a presentation that is both informative and deeply moving, leaving attendees with a renewed understanding of the power of vulnerability and the significance of reaching out and offering genuine support.
Tom Cronin
Tom Cronin, with his calm and grounded presence, will bring a focus on inner wellbeing and proactive mental health strategies to your R U OK? Day event. As a meditation teacher and advocate for mindfulness, Tom will emphasise the importance of self-awareness and cultivating inner resilience as foundational elements for good mental health.
His approach will involve practical techniques for managing stress, anxiety, and building emotional regulation. Attendees will be empowered with tools to nurture their own mental wellbeing, fostering a sense of inner peace that enables them to better support themselves and others. Tom’s presentation will be both soothing and empowering, offering tangible ways to cultivate a more mindful and connected existence, ultimately strengthening the ability to ask and genuinely listen when we ask, “Are you okay?”
Dr Amy Silver
With a blend of insightful expertise and heartfelt relatability, Dr Amy Silver will add great value to your R U OK? Day event. Drawing from her experience in psychology and her passion for fostering human connection, Amy will delve into the nuances of genuine support and effective communication. These include the subtle cues that indicate someone might be struggling, offering practical advice on how to initiate meaningful conversations and navigate sensitive situations with empathy and understanding.
Amy’s approach will empower attendees to move beyond simply asking “Are you okay?” to truly listening and providing helpful responses, fostering a culture of authentic care and proactive wellbeing within your organisation.
Gilbert Enoka
Gilbert Enoka, renowned for his work in building mental fortitude with the All Blacks, brings a unique and powerful perspective to an R U OK? Day event. His approach centers on cultivating a strong team culture where vulnerability is seen as a strength and open communication is paramount. Gilbert will share insights into building resilience, managing pressure, and fostering an environment where individuals feel safe to speak up and support one another. He will draw parallels between the high-stakes world of elite sport and the everyday challenges we face, emphasising the importance of shared responsibility in looking out for each other’s wellbeing.
You can expect a compelling message about the power of collective support and proactive mental fitness, framed within the context of achieving peak performance both on and off the field.
Dr Michal Nagel
An RU OK? Day event featuring Dr. Michal Nagel will focus on the science behind mental wellbeing and the practical application of psychological principles. Drawing on his expertise as a psychologist, Dr. Nagel will offer evidence-based insights into understanding emotional distress, building resilience, and fostering positive mental health.
His approach will demystify mental health challenges, provide accessible strategies for self-care and support, and highlight the importance of early intervention. Expect a presentation that is both informative and empowering, equipping attendees with a deeper understanding of mindfulness, mental wellbeing and actionable steps to support themselves and others effectively.
Dr. Nagel will emphasise the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for your organisation where asking “Are you okay?” is met with understanding and effective support.
Darren Fleming
Darren Fleming is a captivating storyteller and mental health advocate whose personal journey resonates deeply with audiences. Having navigated significant challenges and emerged with profound insights, Darren speaks with raw honesty and genuine empathy about the importance of connection and seeking support. His keynote for R U OK? Day will be both moving and empowering, offering practical takeaways on how to foster open conversations, recognise the signs that someone might be struggling, and cultivate a culture where asking “Are you okay?” is met with understanding and action. Darren’s authentic approach will inspire you to prioritise genuine connection and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around you.
Add a splash of yellow, and book your R U OK? Day Speaker Now.
Keynote Entertainment provides Mental Health Speakers for R U OK? Day and other special events. We have a large panel of professional speakers to choose from, so don’t hesitate to brief us, so that we can find the right speaker for your event.