I’ve spoken to around 200 schools over 12 years on mental health, but last year I made the big decision to hang up my school-speaker hat. ‘Quit whilst you’re ahead’ was the motto. Additionally, I wanted to concentrate on my podcast and on my new 1-1 mental mental health mentoring service, with the odd talk to companies peppering the year.

So, I was kind of surprised when I was approached in May this year to give two talks to Year 10 and Year 12  at the Norton Knatchbull grammar school in Kent. I agreed, and I was slightly worried that I’d become rusty in speaking, but both audiences – particularly Year 10 – were so much fun and attentive that I needn’t have worried at all.

Young people are interested in authenticity, and in hearing the really genuine stories that are ‘out there’ in terms of mental illness. They want to hear those stories of recovery and practicality, because they are facing exams and all sorts of things. The more things you can give them like that, the better. They also like having a laugh now and again, and I like to think that I can make these topics light-hearted in places.

I always preface my talks with a few statistics about mental health, and I always say that students can listen for themselves, for their parents, for their mates, to hopefully get an understanding of prevention being more important than cure. My dashboard of mental health dials seems to help make things clear.

I really enjoyed my time speaking to schools. The people I met who were Deputy Headmasters, or in charge of PSHE or Pastoral were mostly terrific and working their socks off to help their pupils. I’d certainly love to write about my experiences – WATCH THIS SPACE…

If you’re interested in hiring Jeremy to speak at your company, organisation, or Parents’ and Teachers’ Association, please reach out to enquiries@howtostaysane.co.uk