Ben West
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Mental Health Campaigner, Best-Selling Author, Strategic Advisor and Influencer Ben is one of the most engaging and inspiring young male voices mental health advocacy on a global scale. He is the founder of the viral suicide prevention project ‘Reasons To Stay’.
In 2018 Ben very unexpectedly lost his younger brother to suicide. It was a horrific experience that left him trying to grapple with grief, guilt and complete confusion at only 17 years old.
In January 2026, Ben launched ‘Reasons to Stay’, a suicide prevention project which aims to help reach people who are at difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. In less than a month, the website has delivered over 1 million letters to visitors and Ben’s videos have been viewed on a global scale, reaching over 18 million people on social media.
Known for his raw, honest videos on social media including dealing with grief and how to speak to those struggling with their own mental health, Ben has become a leading voice in the movement to break stigma, improve education and support, and drive real change. He has collaborated with international brands, developing meaningful and creative content for companies such as Dacia, CASIO, Toblerone, and LADBible.
His broadcast appearances including presenting a special series for Mental Health Awareness Week for BBC One’s Morning Live; covering specific issues such as body dysmorphia in men; exploring different religious and ethical approaches to raise suicide awareness and prevention; discussing children’s mental health safeguarding as part of the wider educational system; and an in-depth look at the rise in road worker attacks across the country.
Ben was also the focus of an episode for the Snapchat series I Want To Get Better, being interviewed by Jameela Jamil. He has appeared on Lorraine (ITV), Good Morning Britain (ITV), Sky News, and the smash hit podcasts Private Parts, Dr Alex’s Stompcast Podcast, and Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place.
Ben’s bestselling book, This Book Could Save Your Life (Harper Collins), was released in 2022 to critical acclaim. He has also written for a number of high profile publications, having been featured twice in The Times and Sunday Times Magazine, as well as a feature in Men’s Health Mental Health Awareness Month special.
A leading keynote speaker and workshop host, Ben brings a rare and deeply informed perspective: combining his personal story, frontline experience, and real-world involvement within the healthcare, education and private sectors, empowering audiences to embrace vulnerability, create mentally healthier workplaces, and make simple, meaningful changes to better support themselves and the people around them. Through honest storytelling and practical education, he helps leaders and teams feel more confident recognising when someone is struggling and knowing what to do to make a difference.
Using his positive and passionate voice for storytelling on his social media platforms,
As a Strategic Advisor and Mental Health Policy Lead, Ben has worked closely with organisations including Wagamama, Pfizer, and NHS to develop sustainable wellbeing strategies, and has advised company boards on the shape of their mental health, DEI, and sustainability policies. He is also an accredited Mental Health First Aid instructor, delivering essential training to individuals within organisations.
Ben is also a crisis support volunteer with SHOUT, the national mental health textline, providing 1 to 1 support to people in need of urgent help. In 2025, he was awarded an honorary degree from the university of Bournemouth for his work in the mental health awareness and suicide prevention fields.