Every year, International Stress Awareness Week raises awareness for stress-related mental health issues, including the stigma preventing people’s recovery and the importance of stress management professionals, like our speakers.
Check out our selection of top stress management speakers in this article, along with everything you need to know about International Stress Awareness Week 2026.
What is Stress Awareness Week?
Coined in 2018, International Stress Awareness Week expanded upon Stress Awareness Day, which started in 1998, to draw further attention to the issue.
Founded on one of the most important international days, the event works in unison with the Mental Health Awareness campaign to impact business leaders, Governments, and the public alike.
The purpose of Stress Awareness Week is to highlight the physical and mental impact of stress, as well as what we must all do to safeguard our wellbeing.
When is International Stress Awareness Week 2026?
International Stress Awareness Week runs from the 2nd to the 6th of November 2026. The theme of International Stress Awareness Week 2026 is Shaping the Future of Stress and Wellbeing: Rehumanising the Workplace - exploring the future of wellbeing in a changing world.
Source: ISMA UK
Why is Stress Management Important?
With 74% of people reportedly unable to cope with the levels of stress in their lives, stress management is more important now than ever. The psychological effects of stress result in 61% feeling anxious, and a worrying 32% with suicidal thoughts.
Common Causes of Stress:
- Pressure to Succeed – 60% of Young Adults
- Self-Image – 49% of Young Adults
- Health – 36% of Adults
- Body Image – 36% of Women & 23% of Men
- Housing – 32% of Young Adults
- Work – 26% of Adults
- Debt – 22% of Adults
With such staggering statistics in mind, International Stress Awareness Week is a vital event for us all to recognise, particularly in the workplace, where burnout is common.
As the humble office is the cause of so much stress, which includes the financial and emotional pressures of work, corporate speakers are in high demand for their transformative power.
Stress management speakers are regularly booked to arm employees with a toolbox of wellbeing strategies, ideal for reducing their stress levels at work.
Source: The American Institute of Stress
The Top Stress Management Speakers to Hire!
Below is a selection of our influential stress management speakers, perfect for a multitude of events, from corporate workshops to global webinars. Megan Lupton created this selection of speakers after evaluating vetted feedback from 168 stress-themed events held between 2024 and 2025.
1. Samantha Clarke
Owner of Samantha&, Samantha Clarke’s consultancy service has benefited the likes of Shopify, Virgin Media, and Giorgio Armani. She is a pioneer of happiness and wellbeing, using her knowledge of psychology, she sets the standard for workplace culture, reducing the impact of stress in offices across the globe.
When booked for events, Samantha supplies a toolbox for mental wellbeing, equipped with startling statistics and transformative techniques. A speaker like Samantha will ignite passion in your team.
Official Testimonial for Samantha Clarke:
"It was very obvious that Samantha loves what she does and cares about helping people. She genuinely cared about the problem we were having on our team and thought very critically about what could be done to help solve it." - Shopify Studio Team
2. Dr Sam Wass
Specialising in child psychology, Dr Sam Wass has dedicated his career to the study of stress, as well as such disorders as Autism and ADHD. In children, stress can have a devastating effect on their neurological development, as discovered through Dr Wass’ studies.
He uses these discoveries to educate parents and schoolteachers, highlighting the impact of their behaviour and the importance of emotional support. Audiences will recognise Dr Wass from his role on Channel 4’s Secret Lives of Four-Year-Olds, where he supplied insightful psychological analysis of the children’s behaviour.
Official Testimonial for Dr Sam Wass:
“Asking Dr Sam Wass to be keynote speaker at each of our four Annual Conferences was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. Absolutely every delegate raved about his presentation.” - Early Excellence
3. Ollie Ollerton
Driven by his military experiences, Ollie Ollerton is a leading authority on stress management. Having suffered from PTSD, he understands more than most the impact of mental health on every facet of our lives.
Now, Ollie is a trained PRISM practitioner and founder of Break-Point, a corporate training programme that fuels communication, collaboration and emotional wellbeing. Ollie’s workshops are renowned for their strategies on stress management. Best known from SAS: Who Dares Wins, audiences resonate with Ollie’s story.
Official Testimonial for Ollie Ollerton:
"Ollie was brilliant, his speech was insightful, motivating and relevant. We had really good feedback from those who attended and our Project Director was very impressed. Ollie was a pleasure to work with yesterday so please pass my thanks and feedback on to him. From myself, and on behalf of the LM Leadership, a massive thank you to Champions and Ollie." - LM JV
4. Dr Brené Brown
Bestselling author and top TED talk speaker, Dr Brené Brown, is a pioneer of the emotional intelligence philosophy. Her research lectures are world-renowned, as Dr Brown’s unbeatable insight into vulnerability, stress management and leadership are respected by professionals across the globe.
As a speaker, she has presented for Disney, Google, and NASA, to name just a few of her previous bookings, a testament to Dr Brown’s reputation on the circuit. Awarded the 2019 HR Dive’s Innovator of the Year, her podcast, lectures, and speeches uncover the secrets of stress management.
Dr Brown's Official Speaking Topics:
- Dare to Lead
- Rising Strong
- Braving the Wilderness
- Courage & Determination
- Emotional Management
5. Simon Cohen
A speaker with a difference, Simon Cohen’s unique perspective on leadership has benefited business owners from across the globe. He specialises in innovation and emotional wellbeing, a signature approach that has led Simon to appear on Sky News and present at the International Festival of Creativity.
Simon has been booked by the World Economic Forum and UNESCO, to name a few of his previous clients, a testament to his global reputation. When booked for events, he discusses the secrets to emotional management.
Simon Cohen's Official Speaking Topics:
- Leadership
- Social Innovation
- Successful Start-Ups
- Sustainable Business Growth
- Communication
6. Taz Thornton
As a leading UK-based keynote speaker, Taz Thornton offers transformative insights into stress management and personal empowerment. Drawing from her extensive experience in coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and extreme empowerment techniques, Taz provides practical strategies to help individuals and organisations manage stress effectively.
Her dynamic presentations are designed to equip audiences with tools to recognise stressors, implement coping mechanisms, and cultivate resilience in both personal and professional settings.
Taz Thornton's Official Speaking Topics:
- Implementing Strategic Stress Management in the Workplace
- Building Resilience Through Personal Empowerment
- Utilising NLP Techniques for Effective Stress Reduction
- Cultivating a Positive Workplace Culture to Mitigate Stress
- Extreme Empowerment: Unconventional Methods to Combat Stress
7. Alan Wise
Alan Wise is a globally respected clinical health psychologist and keynote speaker with 40+ years of experience in stress management, PTSD, and workplace wellbeing. Known for linking mindset to performance, he helps individuals build resilience and businesses foster healthier cultures.
An Expert Witness for the Court, Alan’s insights reduce stress-related absences and boost productivity. His impactful talks on mental health, mindfulness, and recovery make him a sought-after speaker for organisations aiming to support employee wellbeing and drive positive, lasting change.
Alan Wise's Official Speaking Topics:
- Psychology
- Psychotherapy
- Stress Management
8. Jules Mitchell
Jules Mitchell is an empowering positivity coach and founder of multiple wellbeing ventures, including Project Happiness and The Big Happiness Experiment. Since 2005, she has used science-backed techniques to help people understand their emotions, boost happiness, and unlock their potential. Her global reach includes keynote talks, workshops, and therapy sessions that focus on mental resilience and personal fulfilment.
As a stress management speaker, Jules is hired for her proven ‘Brain Tech’ system and engaging, evidence-based approach to happiness. With clients like the BBC and NHS, she inspires healthier, more productive workplaces through practical strategies rooted in neuroscience and emotional intelligence.
9. Carole Spiers
Carole Spiers is an internationally respected stress management speaker known for her charismatic, emotionally engaging style and practical insight. She works across the UK, the Middle East, and globally, delivering keynote presentations and Masterclasses that focus on workforce wellbeing and stress reduction. As CEO of an international consultancy and a trusted media commentator, Carole’s strategies are immediately actionable and tailored for impact.
Carole is hired for her expertise in managing workplace stress, organisational change, and executive resilience. A published author and Chair of ISMA UK, she champions mental health awareness and creates healthy workplace cultures that retain talent and boost performance.
Carole Spiers' Official Speaking Topics:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Resilient Leadership
- Stress Management
- Relationship Management
- Organisational Change
10. Wendy Dignan
Wendy Dignan is a highly qualified psychologist and mental health expert with over 20 years of experience, specialising in anxiety, stress, trauma, and relationship issues. After overcoming Bell’s Palsy at 18, triggered by stress, Wendy was inspired to pursue psychology and now holds multiple degrees up to the doctoral level. Her practical, effective methods empower individuals to manage mental health challenges both in the workplace and daily life.
As a sought-after stress management speaker, Wendy combines personal experience with professional expertise to deliver impactful presentations. She offers fast, actionable solutions that help audiences build resilience, boost confidence, and navigate difficult emotions. Her client list includes CEOs, celebrities, and Olympians, and she’s featured in major media outlets like BBC Radio 4, The Times, and Vogue.
Official Testimonial for Wendy Dignan:
"The most exciting thing in the world is getting a chance to tear it all up and start again. Keep all the things you want and throw out everything you don't. Wendy will help you do just that!" - Becky Sheeran
Hire a Keynote Speaker for International Stress Awareness Week 2026!
To hire one of our impactful stress management speakers, browse and select the desired topic and simply complete our online booking form or call us on 0207 1010 553. For all your webinar needs, check out our free ultimate guide.
If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness and needs somebody to turn to, please see Mind's helplines.
This exclusive article on International Stress Awareness Week and the top stress management speakers to hire was authored by Megan Lupton, using vetted feedback from 168 stress-themed events held between 2024 and 2025.
An image of the top speakers for International Stress Awareness Week to hire via Champions Speakers, as selected by Senior Content Executive, Megan Lupton.
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