Insight on the importance of Father's mental health
UK
Fathers' mental health advocate, local hero and founder of Fathers Reaching Out spreading awareness on mental health
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About Mark
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Mark Williams had a career in sales management and training, but after his own experience with post-natal depression and anxiety in 2004, he became involved in the health sector. He first struggled to find someone to talk to about his depression, which led to a breakdown. However, he was put on medication and was taught behavioral cognitive therapy and mindfulness. Today, speaker Mark Williams and his wife are closer than ever, although their family bond was threatened by the seriousness of mental health illnesses.
Speaker Mark Williams is the founder of Fathers Reaching Out – an organization with a mission to prevent, treat and spread awareness about fathers’ mental health. Mark is also the founder of International Fathers’ Mental Health Day and has been awarded Inspirational Father of the Year in 2012 and Local Hero at the Pride of Britain Awards. In 2016, speaker Mark Williams was chosen to meet the Royal Family on World Mental Health Day. Mark works as an international speaker, consultant to organizations on men’s mental health, trainer in Perinatal Mental Health and author of Daddy Blues.
As a speaker Mark Williams is informative and motivational while bringing a humorous and creative sense to an otherwise serious topic. Having struggled with his own mental health after being diagnosed with ADHD at age 40, Mark knows what it’s like to feel lost and confused. One in three fathers worry about their own mental health, and one in 10 fathers suffer from post-natal depression. It’s an issue that must be acknowledged and dealt with – something Mark can help with!
See keynotes with Mark WilliamsHow did you begin your speaking career?
In 2012 after my story went viral, I was asked to share my story in Rochdale, UK for a national mental health charity called Mind. It was at that conference, a lady told me she was going to phone her husband as she felt he had gone through a similar experience and felt he needed help too.
What’s the biggest misconception when it comes to fathers’ mental health?
Fatherhood has totally changed over the years with more stay-at-home dads and single fathers bringing up children alone than ever before, especially in the U.K. We must remember that all parents have a history of depression and should be supported while becoming new parents.
What are your biggest goals in your life/career currently?
I have just signed my second publishing deal for another book which is something I have wanted for many years. I feel now I have done more than I ever expected in Mental Health, but over the next few years I’m looking at training and motivational workshops. I would also love to do a TEDx Talk, speak around the world and turn my book “Daddy Blues” into a screen play or film in the future.
How do audiences gain from your keynote presentations?
Fathers’ Mental Health is something that isn’t really talked about at conferences but after speaking to over two thousand fathers from different countries and cultures, I have gained a wealth of knowledge to share with the audience with, of course, a personal experience and turning a bad time in my familiy life into a positive one.
How much does humor factor into your keynotes and other speaking engagements?
I feel it’s important to keep the audience interested, and with a topic like mental health, it can be hard to bring humour to the stage. However, I feel that it’s something that happened and why not bring a little laughter to the room. I am very open and tell the audience that they can ask me anything in the Q/A session at he end of the talk, and this is typically where I try to lift the mood and have a laugh.
What kind of clients benefit from your keynotes?
Anyone working with families and businesses who of course have a lot of fathers working for them. I also feel that the management will benefit from knowing how to spot signs of depression in fathers and not just mothers. I have spoken to many different clients, from prison services to International organizations.
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