MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Sean speaks professionally at universities and high schools across the United States, promoting mental health awareness, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, and providing strategies for maintaining positive mental hygiene. Sean also runs seminars for university faculty and staff, resident advisors, and nursing, psychology and social work students, sharing effective strategies for communicating about the topic of mental illness.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: COPING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

for general audiences

60-minute presentation

In an authentic and compelling manner, Sean Campbell shares his personal experiences in coping with mental health issues and trauma, his adversities of living with a father with bipolar disorder and alcoholism, and the strategies he has developed to maintain positive mental hygiene in his life, all while becoming an author, award-winning international youth advocate, and filmmaker by 22 years old.

By discussing his own mental illness in a genuine and honest way, Sean combats the stigma and fear associated with mental illness, and encourages students to acknowledge and seek treatment for mental health issues. Sean shares his successes with psychological counseling, talk therapy and right-brain interventions. Sean emphasizes that while he has excelled in many ways as a young adult, he still continues to cope with mental health issues, and therefore, a deep, daily commitment to wellness is essential for Sean to continue to achieve optimal performance. Finally, Sean discusses how his commitment to mental hygiene has fostered a certain creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that has led him to a unique and independent path to success.

TALKING ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS: HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE?

for nursing, psychology, and social work students – resident advisors – faculty and administration

60-minute presentation

Nursing, psychology and social work students and professionals undoubtedly will work with patients or even entire populations who are coping with mental health issues. In a world where certain taboos and stigmas still exist about discussing and disclosing mental illness, it is essential for these professionals to develop the skills and the comfort in communicating both about mental health and with people coping with mental illness, in a manner that is honest and proactive, yet respectful and sensitive. Sean Campbell shares his experiences and knowledge about how to approach the "scary" topic of mental health and mental illness, doting on how he communicates to seek acceptance and help for his own depression and anxiety, and how as an award-winning mental health advocate speaking to thousands of people each year, he successfully encourages others facing mental illness to accept themselves and seek appropriate help.

LOGISTICS

For more information, including key objectives of presentations, availability, references, cost, schedule, etc., please contact Sean at sean@ambitiontoachieve.com.

To view video clips of past presentations, please visit the Multimedia section of the site.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Featured are several responses to Sean Campbell's mental health programs for college communities, written in evaluations and/or emails. PLEASE NOTE: To ensure confidentiality, all names and campuses have been removed. If you are interested in coordinating a program with Sean Campbell and you would like references, please contact Sean at sean@ambitiontoachieve.com.

[Sean's] presentation was an honest, informative, and personal look at how mental illness has impacted his life. I enjoyed his presentation and it was a wonderful co-curricular presentation for our students to attend. Many of my students attended and it led to a great discussion about coping with mental illness in my class. Thank you for coordinating it and thanks to Mr. Campbell for a great program.

"I just got home from seeing you speak at [college's name]. I was telling my 16 year old daughter about you and we would love to come hear you speak. You are an amazing person who overcame so much in your life. So much of this I can relate to from my own childhood and now. My daughter really needs to hear you. I also will be calling someone for her to get counseling, thanks to you."

"Hi Sean! I really wanted to thank you for coming to [college's name] tonight for your presentation on depression and anxiety. I've been taking advantage of our counseling services at [college's name] for a while now and I have been looking forward to this evening for the past two weeks. As you were you speaking, I was intrigued by every word. I have never had someone speak of the same feelings that I have dealt with for the past several years. I was so emotional when you talked about having to stare at the wall for 2 hours before going to bed because you are just so occupied by the emotions of the day, or those times when you are unable to concentrate on lectures because you are so worried, and the moments you want to throw your phone against the wall because you are too overwhelmed by all of your feelings that you just can't bring yourself to hang out with a friend. That part of your speech just resonated within me and brought me to tears. I related to what you were saying so well and I'm currently trying to work on all of these things that bring me to tears! You just have such a positive outlook on so many things that could just appear to be negative. It was so crazy for me to hear someone say things that I have felt ashamed to share with others. I try to take control of the emotions I have and stay proactive. I have to tell you that it was so refreshing and inspirational to hear the way you react to your own life situations. You are truly a role model for everyone and anyone who has dealt with any struggle in their life. I sincerely wish you all the happiness in the world."

"I just wanted to let you know that you are very inspiring. I heard the highlights of your story in my psychology class. I wanted to hear more of your story when you spoke but the room was packed full of people already and I didn't want to come for the extra credit but just to hear you speak. I am also 21 and I am impressed that you have accomplished so much in just my lifetime. It got me thinking how I might better myself (Even though I am a wife and mother of one). I still think that I can achieve what I put my mind to. Lastly I also want to let you know that I admire you for being so strong in your life and so determined to reach a goal. I have never heard anyone so mature for their age, I am honored that I got to hear you speak. Thank You!"

"I had a great time getting to know you and really appreciate your message and the style of your delivery. This information is so important for our students to know. Sean, I am so glad I got to spend a little time with you. You are a very talented young man and I wish you all the best."

"I didn't get to talk to you after your presentation at [college's name], but I really wanted to get the chance to thank you for your wonderful speech...I almost teared up when you were talking about not being able to sleep, having thoughts when driving about ending it all, and sitting through class thinking about everything that I have to do when the class ends. I'm sure a lot of people have thoughts and feelings like this and are too afraid to admit it (myself included) and you need to know how strong you are for sharing. After I left your presentation I felt like a weight had been lifted and I felt more confident facing the rest of the day knowing that I should trust myself despite the fact that I do have unhealthy thoughts sometimes. Thank you for helping me to recognize that these thoughts are just my thoughts.. and that my choices matter."

"This presentation meant so much to me. My struggles with mental illness have been mostly based around my inability to justify my behaviors and thoughts. It was so wonderful to listen to someone talk both about the reality of mental illness – as something that is genetic, but also the ways in which we may overcome and be successful. Thank you so much!"

"I am so glad I came. As a future nurse this helps me cope and learn how to teach coping with the stigma of mental health. It also meant a lot to me as a person with loved ones who have the stigma."