Steve Gilbert OBE FRSA

Steve has extensive personal experiences of mental illness, including periods of depression, suicide attempts, and hospitalisation. He has a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and Complex PTSD- the result of psychological abuse in his early years through to adulthood.

Steve was recognised in the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours List and appointed OBE for services to mental health.

Steve became a fellow of The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) in January 2020.

Operating under the name Steve Gilbert Consulting (www.stevegilbertconsulting.co.uk), Steve works with a range of leading national organisations, to develop policy and scrutinise programmes of work.

Steve was appointed as a Vice Chair for the Independent Mental Health Act Review led by Sir Simon Wesley, supporting the chair in making recommendations to the Government. Steve chaired the Service User and Carer group, and co-chaired the black African Caribbean working group.

Steve has continued to work with the team from Department of Health and Social Care and the Ministry of Justice, referred to as the Directors Group, to develop the Government response to Mental Health Act Review. The team will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the recommendations and ultimately a new mental health bill.

Appointed to the West Midlands Combined Authority Mental Health Commission he worked alongside the Sir Norman Lamb to develop the Thrive West Midlands programme.

Steve is an Associate Trainer with ‘Connecting with People’, and delivers suicide mitigation training.

Trustee Roles & Advisory Boards

Steve is a Trustee for Mind (October 2017 – current) with a focus on holding the organisation accountable for how it responds to the needs of marginalised communities.

Steve is a Trustee for the Association of Mental Health Providers (March 2018 – current), representing the experiences of people with experiences of mental illness.

Steve is a Strategic Advisory Board Member for the Mental Health and Productivity Pilot, a function of the Midlands Engine. Steve focuses on increasing meaningful involvement of people with lived and living experience of mental illness in the programme.