Ben West

Ben West is one of the most engaging and inspiring young male voices in mental health advocacy on a global scale. He is the founder of the viral suicide prevention project, Reasons To Stay.

In 2018, Ben unexpectedly lost his younger brother to suicide. It was a devastating experience that left him grappling with grief, guilt and complete confusion at just 17 years old.

In January 2026, Ben launched Reasons To Stay, a suicide prevention project designed to reach people during difficult moments through anonymous letters written by volunteers. To date, the project has delivered more than 5 million letters to visitors.

Ben is working with Penguin UK and US on Reasons To Stay: Letters of Hope from a World that Cares, a collection of messages bringing together hope, compassion and connection from strangers across the globe. The book is due to be released across multiple territories in early 2027.

Known for his raw and honest videos on social media, including his experiences of grief and guidance on how to support people struggling with their mental health, Ben has become a leading voice in the movement to break stigma, improve education and support, and drive meaningful change.

His broadcast work has included presenting a special series for Mental Health Awareness Week on BBC One’s Morning Live, covering issues including body dysmorphia in men; exploring different religious and ethical approaches to suicide awareness and prevention; discussing children’s mental health safeguarding within the wider education system; and taking an in-depth look at the rise in attacks on road workers across the country.

Ben was also the focus of an episode of the Snapchat series I Want To Get Better, where he was interviewed by Jameela Jamil. He has appeared on BBC Breakfast (BBC One), CNN News, Lorraine (ITV), Good Morning Britain (ITV), Sky News and Outlook (BBC World Service), as well as the hugely popular podcasts Private Parts, Dr Alex’s Stompcast and Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place.

Ben’s bestselling book, This Book Could Save Your Life (HarperCollins) was published in 2022 to critical acclaim. He has also written for a number of high-profile publications, including being featured twice in The Times and Sunday Times Magazine as well as in Men’s Health for its Mental Health Awareness Month special.

As 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 across the healthcare, education and private sectors. He empowers audiences to embrace vulnerability, create mentally healthier workplaces and make simple, meaningful changes that can better support themselves and those around them.

Through honest storytelling and practical education, Ben helps leaders and teams feel more confident recognising when someone may be struggling, understanding how to respond, and knowing what they can do to make a genuine difference.

As a Strategic Advisor and Mental Health Policy Lead, Ben has worked closely with organisations including Wagamama, Pfizer and the NHS to develop sustainable wellbeing strategies. He has also advised company boards on the development of their mental health, DEI and sustainability policies. In addition, he is 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 text line, providing one-to-one support to people in need of urgent help. In 2025, he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Bournemouth in recognition of his work in the fields of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

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