Founder of Beyond & ThinkWell, Creator of the ‘Find Mike’ Campaign & Bestselling Author of ‘The Stranger on the Bridge’ & ‘The Book of Hope‘
Jonny Benjamin is a leading mental health campaigner, author and documentary maker who has inspired millions with his story of hope and recovery. Diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at 20, Jonny turned his personal struggles into a mission to support others. His viral “Find Mike” campaign reunited him with Neil Laybourn, the stranger who stopped his suicide attempt, and together they sparked a global conversation on mental health. Today, Jonny delivers powerful keynotes to schools, businesses and charities, showing that openness, resilience and compassion can save lives and transform communities.
Jonny Benjamin has spent over a decade championing mental health awareness, breaking stigma and supporting people in crisis. His journey began with the widely publicised “Find Mike” campaign, which gained global recognition and highlighted the importance of kindness and human connection. The campaign later became the award-winning Channel 4 documentary “The Stranger on the Bridge”.
As a writer, Jonny has authored books including “The Stranger on the Bridge” and “The Book of Hope”. His work blends memoir, advice and stories from others to provide inspiration and guidance for anyone facing mental health challenges. He co-founded the charity Beyond, dedicated to improving mental health support for young people.
Jonny’s achievements have been recognised with an MBE for services to mental health and suicide prevention. He has spoken internationally at conferences, universities and corporate events, where his honesty and bravery encourage audiences to engage openly with mental health. Jonny’s talks combine lived experience with practical advice, leaving a lasting impact on organisations and individuals alike.
Jonny Benjamin has authored “The Stranger on the Bridge” and “The Book of Hope”. His story has been featured in major media outlets and captured in the award-winning documentary “The Stranger on the Bridge”. As Co-Founder of the charity Beyond, Jonny’s influence extends into education, policy and public campaigns, making him a respected figure in mental health advocacy.
Why Hire Jonny Benjamin?
Jonny Benjamin shares a story of survival and hope that resonates across generations. His keynotes encourage honest conversations about mental health and equip audiences with empathy, resilience and the courage to support others. He is an inspiring voice for schools, workplaces and communities around the world.
To book Jonny to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry
- VIDEOS
- TESTIMONIALS
- SPEAKING TOPICS
- COSTS
“I think the session was excellent. I have had a couple of notes with really positive feedback. Neil and Jonny are a joy to work with, and their story speaks for itself.” – HSBC
“Just a quick note to say a huge thank you for sharing your story with our Bank of Ireland team this morning – the feedback has been amazing! While that’s lovely in itself, even more importantly is that you will have made a difference to some of our people who didn’t know how they could find the “person on the bridge” that they might be needing to talk to. A huge thank you, really well done and my very best wishes to you both.” – Ian, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Ireland UK
“Just wanted to send a huge thank you for coming in to talk to our staff today. I know from verbal feedback that people found that hugely engaging, informative and inspiring. We couldn’t have asked for more.” – Dyson
“Many thanks for opening up and sharing your story with us yesterday. I had a lot of feedback afterwards about just how much people were moved and felt really compelled to think more deeply about what it is really like for those in distress. I’m sure that your account will continue to resonate and affect people for a very long time.” – University of Westminster
“Please pass on our thanks to Jonny – his talk was great and extremely well received. I have done a post-event survey and responses so far have been fantastic”- University of Huddersfield
- Mental Health
- Commitment to Challenging Stigma
- Facilitating Important Conversations
- Promoting Learning on Social Issues
The cost of hiring Jonny Benjamin depends on your event format, location, duration and any travel requirements. For an accurate and tailored quote, please contact a SpeakOut booking agent for expert guidance.