May Is for Mental Health—Why Well-Being Belongs on Every Stage This May, spotlight mental health as the cornerstone of leadership, resilience, and innovation with top keynote insights and actionable strategies.

May 13, 2025

We used to whisper about mental health. Now? We put it on stages.

Because mental health is no longer a taboo topic, a soft skill, or a side note. It’s the foundation of everything: leadership, teamwork, innovation, performance, and simply being human.

At The Keynote Curators, we’ve witnessed a decisive shift. Event planners aren’t just booking speakers to deliver strategies; they’re seeking voices who deliver substance: stories that move people, moments that shift perspectives, and messages that help teams not just perform better but feel better.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when organizations worldwide amplify the importance of emotional well-being. In honor of this, we’re spotlighting speakers who don’t just “talk” about mental health. They live it. They’ve faced burnout, battled inner critics, and navigated anxiety, imposter syndrome, and depression—emerging with renewed purpose and fire.

Social media has accelerated this transformation. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok serve as stages for vulnerability, where authenticity is currency and mental health advocates amplify their journeys. Our platform, The Keynote Curators Podcast, has become a megaphone for these voices, amplifying truth, hope, and transformation.

Below, discover in-depth insights, data, and real-world examples—alongside unforgettable podcast clips—from speakers redefining resilience and mental wellness. Use these ideas to craft an event that doesn’t just discuss mental health but embeds well-being into every dimension of the attendee experience.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

Mental health awareness has grown from a fringe concern into a business imperative. According to the World Health Organization, depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity each year. The U.S. Surgeon General recently declared a youth mental health crisis, while 76% of employees report experiencing burnout at work.

• ROI of Well-Being: Companies that invest in comprehensive mental health programs see a 21% increase in profitability and a 59% reduction in turnover, per Gallup data.
• Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 era accelerated remote work and isolation, exacerbating loneliness and stress. But it also normalized open conversations and virtual therapy.
• Event Opportunity: Conferences and summits offer a unique chance to reset organizational norms, prioritize self-care, and introduce practices attendees can carry back to their daily lives.

By centering mental health in May, you position your event as a catalyst for cultural change—demonstrating that well-being underpins every aspect of performance, from boardroom negotiations to frontline service.

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🎧 Mental Health Insights from The Keynote Curators Podcast

Eliz Greene on Stop Stressing! Find Your Perfect Stress Management Style

Stress is universal, but coping styles differ. Eliz Greene challenges the myth of one-size-fits-all stress relief.

• Key Technique: Identify your archetype via a simple quiz, then apply targeted strategies: planners build checklists, analyzers journal, action heroes schedule micro-break workouts, and so on.
• Organizational Tip: Offer attendees pre-event quizzes and pair their results with customized break activities—e.g., guided stretching for Action Heroes, quiet reflection pods for Relaxers.
• Takeaway: Personalization in mental health mirrors personalization in content—one size fits none.

Watch Eliz Greene’s approach in Stop Stressing! Find Your Perfect Stress Management Style.

Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky on Belonging at Work

Belonging is not a trendy buzzword—it’s a critical determinant of performance. Adam Smiley Poswolsky discusses how fostering belonging reduces anxiety, amplifies engagement, and sparks creativity. He shares case studies: a tech firm that replaced private offices with communal tables, doubling cross-team collaboration, and a healthcare network whose inclusive rituals slashed turnover by 30%.

• Practices to Adopt:
  • Rituals of Recognition: brief “shout-out” sessions to highlight personal and professional wins.
  • Affinity Breakouts: small-group sessions around shared identities or interests.
  • Peer Mentorship Circles: rotating pairs for trust-building dialogues.
• Takeaway: When people feel safe and seen, they thrive; belonging is the antidote to isolation.

Watch Adam’s insights in Belonging at Work: Why You Perform Better When You Feel Valued.

Suneel Gupta on Overcoming Negative Thoughts

Suneel Gupta’s personal journey—labeled “the face of failure” by The New York Times—propelled him to develop mind-hacking techniques that dismantle negativity cycles.

• Takeaway: Thought work is foundational—without mental reframing, performance hacks fall flat.

Watch Suneel’s method in Struggling with Negative Thoughts? Practical Steps to Break Free and Finally Feel Good!.

Michelle Anne Johnson on Beating Your Inner Critic

As a neuroscientist, Michelle Anne Johnson, MBA, blends brain science with performance coaching. She recounts high-profile athletes who overcame choking under pressure through micro-affirmations, reminding us that confidence is a skill, not an innate trait.

• Takeaway: Inner critics are trainable adversaries; systematic interventions yield lasting confidence.

Discover more in What You Can Do TODAY to Overcome Your Insecurities.

Justin Wren on Purpose as a Lifeline

Justin Wren’s transition from MMA fighter to humanitarian demonstrates how service dissolves despair. By founding Fight for the Forgotten, he not only built wells for indigenous communities but also filled his own emptiness.

• Action Step: Embed volunteer components at events—e.g., assemble care kits during breaks.
• Impact Metric: Companies with corporate service days report 10% higher employee satisfaction.
• Takeaway: Service ignites meaning, anchoring us through turbulence.

Explore Justin’s journey in How Finding Your Purpose Can Save You From Depression.

🎧 BONUS Full episode: Johnny Crowder on Raw Resilience

Surviving suicidal ideation, Johnny Crowder created Cope Notes—texted affirmations that interrupt crisis loops. He shares raw anecdotes of late-night panic attacks and the simple power of a text that says, “You’re not alone.” His workshop includes live demos: attendees pair up to send each other affirmations, reinforcing communal support.

• Setup: Provide digital or physical note cards at your event for peer encouragement.
• Takeaway: Small, consistent reminders can rewire brains toward hope.

Watch his full episode Mental Health Awareness and Personal Development.

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Embedding Mental Health at Your Event

1. Mindful Openers: Start each day with a 5-minute guided meditation or breathwork session. Partner with a local mindfulness coach or use a simple app like Headspace.

2. Vulnerability Panels: Host live interviews where speakers share personal mental health journeys. Frame them as “Courage Conversations” and allow audience Q&A.

3. Wellness Tracks: Offer breakout streams on yoga, journaling, art therapy, and sound baths. Include options for introverts and extroverts alike.

4. Peer Support Pods: Create small-group discussion tables—capped at 8 people—for deeper connection and resource sharing.

5. Digital Resource Lounges: Provide QR codes linking to mental health apps, therapists, and self-care guides. Include quiet spaces for reflection.

6. Post-Event Care: Send attendees a “Wellness Toolkit” email: recorded sessions, mindfulness exercises, and local support group information.

Measuring Your Impact

• Pulse Surveys: Deploy quick polls post-session on stress levels, clarity, and actionable takeaways.
• Well-Being Index: Pre-and post-event self-assessment of mood, energy, and perceived support.
• Engagement Analytics: Track attendance in wellness sessions versus traditional breakouts.
• Follow-Up Interviews: Conduct qualitative interviews with a sample of attendees to gather narratives on lasting impact.

Why Mental Health Drives Leadership & Innovation

Strong mental health fuels the skills organizations desperately need:

• Resilience: Navigate disruption with adaptability.
• Empathy: Forge deeper customer and employee connections.
• Clarity: Communicate purpose with precision.
• Creativity: Access innovative thinking by reducing stress shields.
• Collaboration: Build belonging that accelerates teamwork.

TED speakers like Brené Brown and Shawn Achor have demonstrated that vulnerability and positivity drive organizational success. By centering mental health, you signal that your event values people over processes—laying the groundwork for lasting change.

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Because when mental health takes center stage, everything else gets better.

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