Award-winning mental health speaker sharing a powerful lived experience of psychosis and schizophrenia.
5.00 of 5
Top rated!5 of 5
I was at the Off the Record training today and just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. Hearing you speak today was really helpful. You’re an amazing person. Thanks so much.
Charlotte Pain
Service user, Independent blogger
Erica Crompton is a keynote speaker, journalist and mental health advocate known for her honest and compelling talks about schizophrenia, psychosis and recovery. Drawing from her own lived experience with paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, Erica gives audiences a rare and deeply human perspective on severe mental illness. Alongside managing her condition for nearly two decades through therapy and medication, she has built a successful career in journalism and publishing. Erica speaks openly about resilience, stigma, workplace mental health and hope, inspiring audiences with a story that is both powerful and relatable.
Erica Crompton is one of the most engaging voices speaking about mental health, psychosis and schizophrenia today. Through her deeply personal story and professional background in journalism, Erica delivers keynote talks that are honest, insightful and unforgettable. She speaks openly about living with paranoid schizophrenia, her diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and her experience with psychosis, giving audiences a perspective that is rarely heard with such clarity and authenticity.
Her talks connect with organisations, healthcare professionals, schools, universities and workplaces looking to better understand mental health, resilience and the realities behind severe mental illness. Erica combines lived experience with professional expertise, making complex and often misunderstood topics accessible and relatable.
Erica’s ability to discuss difficult subjects with warmth, intelligence and openness creates meaningful conversations around mental health stigma and well-being. Audiences leave with a greater understanding of psychosis, stronger empathy and practical reflections on mental health in everyday life and the workplace.
Alongside managing severe mental illness, Erica has built an impressive career in journalism and publishing. She holds a degree in journalism and works full-time as a freelance journalist and editor. Her professional journey demonstrates resilience, determination and the ability to succeed in demanding environments while navigating ongoing mental health challenges.
Erica is a former Editor of Ophthalmology Times Europe and has also held long-term staff roles at respected organisations including The Daily Telegraph, Mail Online, John Lewis head office and UTV, where she worked as a radio script writer. Throughout these experiences, she continued to manage psychosis while maintaining a successful professional life.
As a freelance journalist, Erica has written openly about her experiences with mental illness for major publications including:
Her work has helped challenge misconceptions around schizophrenia and psychosis while encouraging more open conversations about mental health. Erica’s journalism reflects the same honesty and humanity that define her keynote speaking.
Erica’s story is both moving and inspiring. She has spent nearly two decades managing her illness through therapy and medication while continuing to work, create and advocate for change. In 2009, Erica survived a suicide attempt and spent a week on a psychiatric ward in Birmingham, UK. She now speaks candidly about this period in her life, helping audiences better understand the realities of mental illness and recovery.
Her talks explore themes including:
Erica approaches these subjects with honesty, compassion and a strong sense of hope. Rather than focusing solely on illness, she highlights the importance of support, understanding and purpose. Her ability to humanise psychosis helps audiences move beyond stereotypes and fear.
She is particularly valued for bringing lived experience into conversations around mental health awareness. Erica’s story encourages organisations and individuals to rethink how they support mental well-being and respond to people experiencing mental illness.
In 2020, Erica released her debut book, The Beginner’s Guide to Sanity, a self-help book for people with psychosis, co-written with Professor Stephen Lawrie and published by Hammersmith Health Books. The book offers guidance, support and understanding for people living with psychosis while helping readers feel less isolated in their experiences.
Beyond journalism and public speaking, Erica is also the founder of Medfed, a creative brand designed for people with severe mental illnesses that promotes mental well-being. Through collages, bespoke prints, colourful fashion and “mad-to-order” t-shirt designs, Medfed challenges stereotypes surrounding mental health and encourages self-expression.
Her creative work reflects her belief that conversations around mental illness should include individuality, creativity and empowerment. Erica’s activism goes beyond awareness; she actively works to change perceptions and create more inclusive attitudes towards severe mental illness.
Based in Staffordshire, UK, Erica enjoys walking and Brazilian dancing in her spare time. Her energy, creativity and openness make her a memorable and inspiring speaker for a wide range of audiences.
Organisations book Erica Crompton because she brings authenticity and depth to conversations around mental health. Her talks offer more than awareness alone — they create genuine understanding and emotional connection.
Erica combines lived experience, professional success and advocacy in a way that resonates strongly with audiences. She is able to speak about schizophrenia, psychosis and recovery with honesty while also delivering hope, practical insight and inspiration.
Whether speaking at healthcare conferences, corporate events, universities or mental health awareness programmes, Erica leaves audiences with a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, support and human connection.
5 of 5
I was at the Off the Record training today and just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. Hearing you speak today was really helpful. You’re an amazing person. Thanks so much.
Charlotte Pain Service user, Independent blogger
5 of 5
It was our pleasure to host Erica for a talk and the feedback I was hearing after the event was how inspiring she is.
Dr Moira Ledger Psychiatrist, Southern Health NHS Trust
5 of 5
Just wanted to say a huge thank you from myself and the team at Time to Change, your speech went down very well and I had many positive comments about it after.
Head of Programme Management (Governance and Research), Time to Change
5 of 5
Just a note to say how much we, as a practise appreciated you giving up your free time recently to come along to surgery and speak with and be interviewed by medical students. This helped provide an invaluable opportunity for their learning. They greatly appreciate this and gain first-hand experience of the doctor-patient relationships. Many thanks.
Dr Suchack Harsthill Medical Centre
5 of 5
Great speaker and kept the talk lively, interesting and real.
Cat Taylor Off The Record (Bristol)
5 of 5
Erica was engaging and her personal story a very important one for girls to hear. She had clearly prepared for her audience and the contact beforehand was useful.
Kathy Hewitt King's High School
Keynote by Erica Crompton:
Erica has held staff position at The Daily Telegraph, at a European scientific journal, at John Lewis's head-office and at UTV - all while managing a severe mental illness. With this in mind, she is perfectly placed to offer tips, hope and guidance to clinicians and service users about how to thrive rather than survive at work.
Erica is aware that only 7 per cent of people with schizophrenia hold down jobs, including volunteer roles, and is here to offer hope to improve outcomes for all!
Keynote by Erica Crompton:
Keynote by Erica Crompton:
