With over a decade of experience leading work to tackle racism, and improve  outcomes for people living with mental illnesses, Steve Gilbert OBE is the go-to  speaker, consultant and coach for organisations serious about delivering meaningful  change.

Widely recognised for his deep understanding of the issues, powerful  presentations, clarity of communication, warmth and relatability, meticulous planning,  and striking candour, Steve has been trusted to both deliver and chair keynote  speeches at industry leading events. 

Having battled with mental illness since his late teens, experiencing the painful  depths of Depression, destructive highs of Bipolar Disorder, and heart-breaking  episodes of Suicidal Ideation and attempts, Steve has repeatedly had to fight for his  life. Against the backdrop of psychological abuse from his parents and siblings Steve  has continued to display grit and determination as he overcomes the obstacles and  pitfalls that accompany life with a serious mental illness. 

As a Dual-Ethnicity child, with a Black father and a white mother, growing up in a  largely white neighbourhood, Steve grew up not ‘fitting in’. As he grew older Steve  became aware of the role racial discrimination had in the high rates of serious mental  illness on his father’s side of the family. It is his personal and familial experiences  which drive Steve’s work. 

Steve was awarded an OBE in 2019 Queens’ Birthday Honours List for services to  Mental Health. 

Anti-Racism 

Steve has made it his life’s work to tackle racism and support organisations and  leaders to become Anti-Racism organisations. Steve’s contributions include:

• Challenging perceptions of Black men’s mental health – For over a  decade Steve has spoken about his mental illness experiences seeking to  reduce the stigma and shame within Black communities.

• Reducing racial discrimination in mental health care – Steve co-chairs the  innovative NHS Race & Health Observatory’s Mental Health Working Group,  investing in research to transform the mental health experiences of Black and  historically racialised people.

• Supporting development of workplace Anti-Racism approaches – Through his Anti-Racism Leader Coaching business Steve supports people to  develop the competence, confidence, and courage required to address racism in the workplace. 

Improving Mental Health Care 

Like so many others Steve started out as a Time to Change Champion, volunteering  with others to engage in conversations about mental health with members of the  public.

A natural networker Steve went on to forge key relationships with sector  leaders locally and nationally, and it wasn’t long before Steve was working with  national organisations, leading to the following achievements: 

• Promoting the value and importance of Living Experience Leadership – Steve is a national expert in the field

• Reforming the Mental Health Act – As one of three Vice-Chairs to the  Independent Mental Health Act Review Steve supporting the chair in making  recommendations to the Government, with a particular focus on reducing  racial inequity. 

• Charity Governance – Steve is a trustee of Bipolar UK, having previously  served as a Trustee for National Mind and The Association of Mental Health  Providers. 

Suicide Prevention 

A Suicide Attempt Survivor, Steve has spent many months contemplating taking his  life. Steve has collaborated with leading experts to further policy and research into  the issue, including: 

• Academic commentator – Steve developed guidance to help clinicians  identify and treat patients at risk of suicide. 

• Keynote Speaker – Steve excels at delivering Keynote Speeches, sensitively  exploring the pain and trauma of getting support for suicidal behaviour,  emphasising the roles communities can play in saving a life.

• Understanding racialised experiences – Contributed to the report  ‘Amplifying Our Voices: Why Racialised Perspectives in Suicide Prevention Can No Longer Be Ignored’