planning information

Anyone! If your organization wants to hire a trained and qualified mental health presenter, contact us. Some of our most common clients are high schools, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, corporations, parent groups, residential treatment facilities, faith-based organizations, and other mental health awareness organizations.

Active Minds speakers have spoken in front of large audiences in sports arenas as well as to small groups in more intimate settings. Their presentations are appropriate for college students, secondary and high school students, parent groups, educators and clinicians, veterans, law enforcement and community members.

Yes. Please see the For Chapters page for more information.

Contact us! With our experience and extensive knowledge of our speakers, topics, and what works, we will help you every step of the way. Just answer a few quick questions on our Host Application form and we’ll contact you to discuss the options that best meet your needs.

Our roster of speakers offers you a choice of a wide range of subject areas in the mental health awareness and suicide prevention field. We’ll help you find the best speaker for the type of program you are offering and for your audience, to help you assemble a high-quality and successful appearance.

1. Proposed date(s) of your event
2. Type of event (e.g., conference, school assembly, community presentation, corporate event)
3. Event goal/purpose (e.g., suicide prevention, Veterans Day, general mental health awareness)
4. Estimated budget

Yes. Please see the Cost Info page for details.

It’s always best to plan as far in advance as possible, and the ideal time frame is 8-12 weeks prior to your event date. This allows for comprehensive event planning: selecting your specific speaker, securing your venue, confirming a date, formally inviting your speaker, finalizing your contract, marketing and promoting your event and the speaker’s appearance, and arranging the speaker’s travel.

January-April and September-November are especially busy times for the Active Minds speakers, since many of their engagements are arranged through Active Minds chapters on college and university campuses, and take place during the academic year. If you are planning for your event to take place during these months, you may want to secure your speaker well in advance, to ensure you are able to book your preferred presenter on your preferred date.

We have helped organizations book events very far in advance and on a few occasions, with less than a month to plan. Please contact us and speak with us about your timeline.

Most of the Active Minds speakers’ presentations are 45-50 minutes in length; however most can accommodate shorter or longer presentations and keynotes per request. Please be sure to build in time for a question and answer period following the speech, as this is the time when audience members get to interact with the speaker, and the speaker can elaborate on specific points from their presentation.

We’ll assist you with all travel plans, and will arrange most of the logistics for your speaker, including air or train travel, and ground transportation in the speaker’s home city. We’ll work with you to ensure that the arrangements suit your timeline and event needs. However, unless otherwise discussed, you will typically be responsible for providing hotel accommodations (room and tax only) and local ground transportation for your speaker while they are visiting your city.

Choosing the right speaker for your audience is key. Our staff is knowledgeable about the issues surrounding mental health, and can help you find the perfect presenter for your program, whether a mental health awareness event, fundraiser, continuing education program, community function, or other meeting or assembly. We can answer your questions and guide you as you select the speaker who can best address your program goals.

See our Speakers By Topic page. Active Minds speakers share their own personal stories about their mental health struggles, diagnoses, treatment, and recovery. Throughout their presentations, speakers will highlight a variety of topics related to mental health. Contact us to learn more about which speakers cover the topics you want addressed. Such topics may include:

Note that under no circumstances are members of the Active Minds Speakers Bureau qualified to provide professional mental health counseling, therapy, or guidance.

The best way to preview our speakers is to watch their online videos on our website. Go to the Speakers by Name page, select a speaker, and watch a video clip on their page. This is the fastest and easiest way to find the perfect speaker for your next event.

Take a look at upcoming speaker engagements to see if a speaker is presenting at a location near you. Events listed are open to the public and you are welcome to attend.

You can also meet, see, and hear many of our speakers at the Active Minds National Conference.

Most host organizations request a guest lecture-style presentation followed by a Q&A period. This format typically lasts for 60-90 minutes, depending on audience participation.

Some groups plan for an extended agenda to enhance their audience’s experience and make the most of the time with their chosen speaker. The following are among the optional add-on components available, usually for an additional cost:

• A round table discussion… with student leaders, staff, or other small focus groups
• A panel presentation… our speakers are available to participate in or facilitate a panel discussion
• A workshop… several of our speakers offer writing or other creative expression sessions
• A mental health or suicide prevention training
• A golf outing
• Yoga, reiki, or meditation classes
• Poetry reading or musical performance
• A book signing… several of our speakers are published authors

Note: not all add-on components are available with each speaker. Please contact us to talk through the optimal package for your event.

Most Active Minds speakers are happy to participate in functions beyond the speech. However, all arrangements for book signings, photo opportunities, receptions, meal functions, etc. must be included in the engagement’s firm invitation so the speaker is aware of what will be expected of them on site. We are happy to work with you to craft a program that fits your needs and those of the speaker.

Our speakers are available to speak with you directly — often prior to your choosing one of them as your speaker as well as after the selection has been made.

Once you have determined which speaker you wish to hire and the contract has been issued, you will be connected to your speaker to discuss program content, any specific goals or issues the speaker should be aware of, local ground transportation logistics, etc. The Active Minds staff will work with you to best plan and communicate your program needs to your speaker.

Yes. Once your event is confirmed, we will provide you with everything you need to successfully market your event.