Neil Laybourn

Neil Laybourn is a leading mental health advocate and wellbeing expert who specialises in empowering organisations to create healthier, more supportive workplaces. His profound credibility stems from his 2008 suicide intervention on Waterloo Bridge, which earned him a Pride of Britain award and led to the acclaimed Channel 4 documentary *Stranger on the Bridge*, reaching millions globally. Neil founded the pioneering *This Can Happen* conference, supported by HRH the Duke of Cambridge, and co-founded the charity Beyond Shame Beyond Stigma. Through over 250 keynote presentations worldwide and his role as ambassador for Mental Health UK, Neil equips leadership teams with practical strategies to implement effective mental health frameworks that reduce stigma and foster lasting cultural change.

On a January morning in 2008, Neil Laybourn stopped to help a stranger in distress on Waterloo Bridge, initiating a suicide intervention that would not only save a life but transform his own path entirely. Six years later, a viral Twitter campaign reaching over 300 million people worldwide reunited Neil with that stranger, Jonny Benjamin, sparking a friendship and shared mission that has since reached millions through advocacy, education, and meaningful change. Recognised with a Pride of Britain award in 2014, Neil's story became the subject of Channel 4's acclaimed documentary *Stranger on the Bridge*, which aired in 2015 and continues to resonate with international audiences, winning multiple awards and broadcasting globally.

Neil's professional foundation in fitness and wellbeing, established through his personal training business from 2009, provided the practical framework for his later advocacy work. His ability to connect physical and mental health in tangible, accessible ways enabled him to support clients in making lasting positive changes long before his transition to full-time mental health advocacy in 2017. That shift led to the founding of *This Can Happen*, a pioneering workplace mental health conference that delivers practical solutions to employers and leadership teams. The event gained royal endorsement through Neil's involvement with the Heads Together campaign, where he worked alongside Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, even representing the charity at the 2017 London Marathon. His influence within corporate and public sectors grew rapidly, supported by connections with industry leaders and a genuine commitment to translating awareness into action. In 2018, Bristol University awarded Neil an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his mental health campaigning, and he co-founded the charity Beyond Shame Beyond Stigma, dedicated to reducing suicide, self-harm, and stigma amongst young people through enhanced education and support for families and educators.

Through over 250 keynote presentations delivered across workplaces, universities, schools, and public sector organisations internationally, Neil equips audiences with the insight and tools needed to implement effective mental health strategies within their own environments. As an official ambassador for Mental Health UK, he continues to collaborate on impactful initiatives that drive cultural change and reduce stigma. Selected as one of the most popular keynote speakers for World Mental Health Day 2026, Neil's work focuses on helping organisations move beyond awareness towards meaningful action. Audiences leave his sessions with practical frameworks for recognising mental health challenges, fostering supportive workplace cultures, and building high-performance teams grounded in psychological safety. His approach combines lived experience with evidence-based strategies, ensuring that organisations can create environments where mental health is prioritised, conversations are normalised, and individuals feel empowered to seek support without fear or shame.