As we approach what's often cited as the most challenging day of the year, it's crucial to arm your team with the tools and inspiration they need to thrive. We've curated a line-up of inspirational speakers, each bringing a unique blend of expertise, personal experiences, and motivational strategies to your future events.

What is Blue Monday?

Blue Monday takes place on he 19th of January 2026. the third Monday of January. 

It was conceptualised in 2004 by psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall. It represents a time when post-holiday blues, financial strains, and fading New Year's resolutions converge, leading to a peak in winter gloom. Arnall's formula considers weather, debt, salary, time since Christmas, failed resolutions, low motivation, and the need for action. Despite its sombre roots, many organisations, including mental health charities, now use Blue Monday to promote discussions on mental health and wellbeing.

Source: Mental Health Foundation

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Speaker for Blue Monday?

Hiring an inspirational speaker for Blue Monday can transform your workplace. They offer strategies to boost mental health, promote open discussions on wellness, and inspire personal growth. Their guidance helps break the stigma around mental health, fosters a supportive culture, and encourages positive change, making your office a healthier, more engaging environment.

Who Are the Top Blue Monday Speakers to Hire for 2026 Events?

Utilising exclusive event poll data from 347 mental health-themed events, held between 2022 and 2025, Sophia Reed has compiled her official selection of the top 10 mental health speakers to hire for Blue Monday, below!:

• Katie Piper
• Dr Alex George
• Martine Wright
• Neil Laybourn
• Shawn Achor
• Ruby Wax
• Kellie Maloney
• Daniel Lerner
• Ife Thomas
• Jonny Benjamin

1. Katie Piper

Katie Piper, an activist, writer, and philanthropist, is a beacon of hope and an inspirational speaker, especially poignant for Blue Monday 2026. Her journey, marked by overcoming harrowing adversity, resonates deeply with her audiences. Katie, a survivor of a devastating acid attack, transformed her life's trials into a platform for advocacy and empowerment. Her bestselling books, such as 'Beautiful' and 'Things Get Better', and her work with brands like Pantene and L'Oréal challenge conventional beauty standards. Founding the Katie Piper Foundation, she supports burn victims, furthering her impact. Her story, a testament to resilience and the power of self-love, makes her a captivating and motivational presence, inspiring others to find strength in their struggles.

Speaker Feedback:

"Katie was fantastic - incredibly engaging, kind and open with the audience. During the Q&A, there were so many questions we had to cut it short! The attendees of the conference were delighted to have seen her speak and it was a pleasure working with her" - Emma, Event Producer, YOURgb Events Ltd

2. Dr Alex George

Alex George, a former A&E doctor turned UK Government's Youth Mental Health Ambassador, is an exceptional choice for a speaker at Blue Monday 2026. His journey from a medicine student at Exeter University to a social media influencer with millions of followers exemplifies his dedication and influence. As a champion of mental and physical health, he skillfully balances stylish content with practical medical advice, making him a unique and impactful voice. His experience on the frontlines of healthcare, combined with his work with mental health charities, reflects his deep commitment to public wellbeing. Alex's ability to connect with diverse audiences, especially the youth, through his social media platforms, podcasts, and television appearances, makes him an ideal speaker to motivate and educate on Blue Monday 2026.

Speaker Feedback:

“It was a brilliant having Dr Alex George join us for our webinar, he is an incredibly engaging and knowledgeable speaker. His personal experience and informal style of delivery makes him so relatable, which was reflected in the number of people in attendance and the volume of questions we received." - Centrica

3. Martine Wright

Martine Wright, a remarkable inspirational speaker, is set to captivate audiences on Blue Monday 2026 with her extraordinary journey from tragedy to triumph. As the last rescued survivor of the 7/7 London bombings, Martine's resilience in the face of adversity is awe-inspiring. Losing both legs and overcoming immense challenges, she transformed despair into determination, excelling as the captain of the British Paralympic sitting volleyball team and a beloved television personality. Martine's story is not just about survival but about surpassing limits and living life to its fullest. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences, sharing messages of self-belief and perseverance, makes her an exceptional choice for motivational speaking. With accolades like the Helen Rollason Award and an MBE, Martine's voice resonates with strength and hope, perfect for inspiring change and optimism on Blue Monday.

Speaker Feedback:

"Martine was absolutely amazing !! The feedback was incredible - many people saying she’s the best speaker they've heard. Would recommend her 100%” - Rupert, Head of Events, WMP Creative

4. Neil Laybourn

Neil Laybourn, a renowned health and wellbeing expert, has made a significant impact as an inspirational speaker, particularly highlighted on Blue Monday 2026. His journey from a fitness industry professional to a leading UK mental health advocate is remarkable. Stemming from his life-changing experience on London Waterloo Bridge in 2008, Neil has since become a beacon of hope and resilience. His work, including founding Neil Laybourn Consultancy and his involvement with the 'Heads Together' movement, showcases his commitment to mental wellbeing. Neil's powerful story, shared in the 'Stranger on the Bridge' documentary, and his extensive speaking engagements, including over 250 keynote events, reflect his ability to connect and empower audiences. His advocacy, recognised with an Honorary Doctorate and his role as an ambassador for Mental Health UK, solidifies his standing as a distinguished figure in mental health education and support.

Speaker Feedback:

"Just wanted to send a huge thank you for coming in to talk to our staff today. I know from verbal feedback that people found that hugely engaging, informative and inspiring. We couldn't have asked for more." - Dyson

5. Shawn Achor

Shawn Achor, a distinguished American author and motivational speaker, is redefining the concept of happiness, especially as a keynote speaker for Blue Monday 2026. With his Harvard background in psychology and Christian and Buddhist Ethics, Shawn is a fervent advocate of positive psychology, challenging the traditional notion that success breeds happiness. His journey from a Harvard teaching assistant to the founder of GoodThinkInc and The Institute for Applied Positive Research highlights his commitment to this ideology. Shawn's influential TEDx talk, one of TED's top 25, illustrates his captivating ability to link happiness and success. His books, like 'Before Happiness' and 'Big Potential', showcase his expertise in altering mindsets and managing stress. Renowned for his charismatic and humorous presentation style, Shawn's speeches at business conferences have notably improved employee wellbeing, demonstrating his unique talent as an inspirational speaker.

Speaker Feedback:

"An amazing event! It was such fun and so stimulating to have Shawn at Facebook! As we strive to help the world become more open and connected, remaining positive and grateful for meaningful and productive relationships is essential! Shawn’s ideas and research is very insightful to us as we think about our mission. Thank you!" - Facebook

6. Ruby Wax

Ruby Wax, an American actress, mental health campaigner, and award-winning author, is celebrated for her exceptional work as a mental health speaker. She has been awarded an OBE for her contributions to mental health. With a career spanning over two decades in the media, including working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and writing for 'Absolutely Fabulous', Ruby has used her performance skills to challenge the stigma around mental illness. Her talks, enriched with humour and insight, focus on the mind's workings and advocate for being in control of one's mental health. Holding a Master's degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from the University of Oxford, she combines her theatrical prowess with a deep understanding of neuroscience. Ruby is globally recognised for her engaging and informative talks, where she enlightens and entertains audiences on mental health topics.

Speaker Feedback:

“Ruby Wax spoke with passion, amazing depth of knowledge and, of course, great humour about the pressures and pitfalls of the human mind. She was incredibly well received by all who attended. I would definitely recommend Ruby for any event where mindfulness and mental health are a priority.” - Emma, HSBC

7. Kellie Maloney

Kellie Maloney, a transformative figure in both the sporting and LGBT+ communities, has emerged as a compelling and inspirational speaker for Blue Monday 2026. Her journey, from being the renowned British boxing promoter Frank Maloney to embracing her identity as Kellie, marked a significant moment for transgender visibility and acceptance. As the manager of heavyweight champions like Lennox Lewis and David Haye, Kellie's impact in boxing was monumental. After her transition, she continued to break barriers, becoming a staunch advocate for transgender rights and women in sports. Her candid talks, drawing from her experiences of adversity, transition, and resilience, inspire a wide range of audiences. Kellie's story, celebrated in the award-winning documentary 'Knockout Blonde: The Kellie Maloney Story', highlights her courage and the importance of living one's truth, making her an ideal speaker for fostering awareness and understanding on Blue Monday.

Speaker Feedback:

"Kellie was amazing! Please can you pass on her thanks, and let her know that we thought it went really well and that we really appreciate her honesty and for joining us. She was a pleasure to work with." - Dinna, Head of Tenancy Services, Chestertons

8. Daniel Lerner

Daniel Lerner, a distinguished coach, speaker, and author, is renowned for his expertise in happiness, excellence, and success. As an only child raised in a culturally rich environment, Daniel's passion for wellbeing and excellence was kindled early. His diverse background, ranging from a classical music career to co-founding 21C Media Group, laid the foundation for his exploration into human emotion and mindset. At the University of Pennsylvania and New York University, where he teaches Applied Positive Psychology, Daniel has become an influential figure, especially with his popular Science of Happiness class. His collaboration with Dr. Alan Schlechter on 'U Thrive: How to Succeed in College (And Life)' further showcases his commitment to fostering long-term positive decisions. His exploration of the relationship between happiness and achievement makes him an ideal inspiration for Blue Monday 2026, guiding audiences to understand and harness the power of emotions in achieving professional excellence.

Speaking Topics:

• The New Era of Wellbeing
• Greatness, Goodness, and Grit
• Bringing Your Work to Life
• Passionately Successful

9. Ife Thomas

Ife Thomas, renowned for her electrifying dance performances and Big Brother appearances, has remarkably transitioned into a compelling inspirational speaker. Her journey, marked by overcoming a career-halting injury and venturing into corporate finance, highlights her resilience and versatility. At Blue Monday 2026, Ife, the driving force behind MindWorkOut and The Confidence Star, is set to captivate audiences with her insights on mental health, resilience, and self-esteem. Leveraging her diverse experiences, including authoring 'Powerlift Your Career' and advocating for mental well-being and Black Lives Matter, Ife's speech resonated deeply, inspiring positive change and personal empowerment.

Speaker Feedback:

"Just wanted to send a huge THANK YOU to Ife for her time today. Her presentation was so inspiring - she made it so personal by talking about her own story and I think we all walked away with the inspiration to work better together as a team and grow ourselves as individuals. Please do pass along our appreciation." - Julia, We-Worldwide

10. Jonny Benjamin

Jonny Benjamin MBE, an award-winning media influencer and mental health campaigner, stands out as a profoundly inspiring speaker for Blue Monday 2026. With a history of battling mental health disorders since childhood, Jonny's journey from despair to hope is a beacon of resilience. His campaign 'Find Mike', where he sought the stranger who saved him from suicide, highlights the transformative power of human connection. Jonny's commitment to mental health extends through his informative YouTube series, his charity work, and his authorship of impactful books. As a speaker, he shares his emotive experiences, engaging audiences in academia, healthcare, and beyond, advocating for awareness, understanding, and the destigmatisation of mental health issues.

Speaker Feedback:

"Many thanks for opening up and sharing your story with us yesterday. I had a lot of feedback afterwards about just how much people were moved and felt really compelled to think more deeply about what it is really like for those in distress. I’m sure that your account will continue to resonate and affect people for a very long time." - University of Westminster

Hire a Blue Monday Speaker Today!

To hire one of the Blue Monday speakers featured in this post, or any of the powerful mental health speakers featured on our website, simply contact us today by filling in our online contact form or by calling one of our dedicated booking agents on 0207 1010 553.

This official article on the best mental health speakers to hire for Blue Monday was authored by Sophia Reed, utilising exclusive event poll data from 347 mental health-themed events, held between 2022 and 2025, and vetted information collected in research from the Mental Health Foundation.

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