Steven Kirby · One Choice, One Life
Mental Health Speaker UK
Breaking the “man up” stigma.
Making space to talk.
I use my experience of a near-fatal workplace accident, PTSD, anxiety, depression and recovery to open up honest conversations about mental health.
Through One Choice, One Life, I help organisations challenge stigma, raise suicide awareness and encourage people to reach out for support.
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This extract discusses mental health and suicide.
Trusted by organisations across construction, engineering, utilities and infrastructure
My story
The injuries you could see were only part of it
I spent twenty years working in construction and demolition before a workplace accident changed my life. During a hydrostatic pressure test, a pipe failed under pressure while I was in the line of fire.
Surviving the accident did not mean everything was suddenly okay. PTSD, anxiety and depression affected my life long after the physical injuries.
Accepting support and working through recovery helped me find a different way forward. Today, I share that experience so people can hear an honest account of struggling, seeking help and rebuilding.
One Choice, One Life
A mental health keynote built on lived experience
There are people who look as though they are coping while finding life difficult. My story creates an opening to talk about what may be happening beneath the surface.
I speak plainly about the mental aftermath of my accident, the difficulty of admitting I needed help and the support that became part of my recovery.
The message is hopeful and practical: you deserve to be listened to, support is available, and asking for help is a sign of strength. Recovery can take time and support; nobody has to have all the answers before reaching out.
What the talk explores
Awareness. Honest conversations. Support.
A workplace mental health speaker helping teams make room for the conversations that can be difficult to start.
Challenging the “man up” message
I draw on my construction background to challenge the idea that men should keep quiet, tough it out or hide how they feel. The talk gives people permission to be honest and seek support.
Understanding mental health through a real story
My experience of PTSD, anxiety and depression puts a human face to mental health. I invite audiences to look beyond appearances and consider the assumptions they make about others.
Creating suicide awareness
I bring suicide into the conversation with care, encouraging people to take distress seriously, listen without judgement and help someone connect with appropriate support.
Men’s mental health
You can be strong and still need support
“Man up.” “Get on with it.” “Don’t show weakness.” These are messages I challenge in my talks.
As a men’s mental health speaker with a construction background, I understand why those conversations can feel uncomfortable. Sharing my own experience helps me approach them in a direct, relatable way.
This is a talk for everyone. Men’s experiences are an important part of it, alongside the role of colleagues, managers, families and friends in making it easier to talk.
What I want people to hear
- You do not have to hide a struggle to prove your strength.
- “I’m fine” may not tell the whole story.
- Listening matters, even when you do not know what to say.
- Asking for support is a step you are allowed to take.
- People deserve understanding, without shame or judgement.
Suicide awareness speaker
Making a difficult conversation possible
Suicide awareness is part of my mental health message. I aim to reduce the silence around the subject and help people understand that someone who is struggling deserves compassion and support.
The talk encourages checking in, taking what someone says seriously and listening without rushing to fix everything. It also makes space to discuss where professional and crisis support can be found.
As a speaker, my role is to build awareness and encourage supportive conversations. Organisations can use the session alongside their existing wellbeing services, employee assistance programmes and trained support teams.
What your audience can take away
A reason to start talking
- A personal understanding of the impact mental health difficulties can have.
- Greater awareness of the stigma behind “man up” and staying silent.
- Reflection on how to check in and listen without judgement.
- Encouragement to seek support and help others find it.
- Questions for leaders about how their workplace responds when someone speaks up.
Client feedback
A message people connect with
“If you are thinking about booking Steve for his inspirational talk, do it!”
“His story was real and emotional”
Who the talk is for
From site teams to conference audiences
Suitable for construction, engineering, utilities, manufacturing and wider workplace audiences, including managers, supervisors and senior leaders.
Book a mental health keynote for a wellbeing day, company conference, leadership event, men’s mental health initiative or workplace awareness campaign.
Based in Beverley, East Yorkshire, I speak across the UK and Europe, including Ireland. Live virtual talks can also be arranged.
For an event combining mental wellbeing with workplace risk, explore my safety and mental wellbeing keynote or behavioural safety talk.
Planning your event
Mental health speaker booking questions
What is One Choice, One Life about?
It is my lived-experience keynote connecting a near-fatal workplace accident with its mental aftermath, recovery and the importance of support. For a mental health event, we can focus on awareness, challenging “man up”, speaking honestly and raising suicide awareness.
Is the talk only for men?
No. Challenging the “man up” stigma is a central theme, but the talk is relevant to mixed audiences. It encourages everyone to think about their own wellbeing and how they respond when a colleague, friend or family member is struggling.
Is this suicide intervention training or therapy?
This is an awareness keynote based on lived experience. It is not accredited suicide intervention training or a clinical treatment session. It can complement specialist training and the professional support already available to your people.
How long is the talk, and can it be delivered online?
A typical keynote lasts around an hour, with timing and Q&A agreed around your event. I deliver in person across the UK and Europe, with live virtual options, including Microsoft Teams, by arrangement. Recording is not permitted.
How do you approach sensitive topics?
I discuss difficult experiences with care and a focus on support and recovery. We can agree the emphasis in advance and make your organisation’s support routes clear. Audience members are not expected to share personal experiences, and people can step out if they need to.
Book Steven Kirby
Bring One Choice, One Life to your workplace
Looking for a mental health speaker who can connect with your people through an honest, personal story? Tell me your preferred date, location, audience and the conversation you want to start.