The Wellbeing 5 Project
Jonny Benjamin, MBE
Award Winning Mental Health Campaigner
The Mental Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with mental wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Jonny Benjamin, MBE
Jonny is an award-winning mental health campaigner, film producer, public speaker, author and vlogger.
At the age of 20, Jonny was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar. He has made films on YouTube about the condition that have been watched by millions of people. In 2014, his social media campaign with Rethink Mental Illness to #findMike, the man who talked him out of jumping off a bridge when he was suicidal, went viral and led to Jonny becoming a prominent spokesperson on the subject of suicide.
Jonny now speaks publicly about his journey with mental health and living with mental illness and has written many articles and given interviews on TV, radio and print to help educate and break the stigma.
Jonny was awarded an MBE for his services to mental health and suicide prevention in the Queen’s New Honours List of 2017.
Jonny is the co-founder of “Beyond”, a youth mental health charity aiming to improve mental health education and provisions for young people. The charity is a grant-giving organisation that aims to provide mental health support to young people, their families and teachers.
Jonny’s new book “The Book of Hope: 101 Voices on Overcoming Adversity” brings together 101 contributors from all walks of life – actors, musicians, athletes, psychologists and activists – to share what gives them hope.
Find out more about Jonny here
The Mental Wellbeing 5 with Jonny Benjamin, MBE
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with mental wellbeing?
Jonny: “Fall Down 7 times, Stand Up 8” Japanese Proverb. My friend sent this to me when I was first unwell in hospital at the age of 20. It has always stuck in my head ever since. I remind myself of it whenever I’m struggling especially
2. What is your top piece of advice for mental wellbeing?
Jonny: Be kind to yourself. We’re always told to be kind to others, but we’re not reminded enough to show kindness toward ourselves. I’ve been having CFT (Compassion Focussed Therapy) for a number of years and it’s helped me to be more gentle and forgiving on myself, particularly when I’m unwell. It takes practice. It’s much easier to be critical of ourselves. I was constantly critical of myself, and even self-loathing, in my 20s but I’m finding that, as I move into my mid-30s, I’m starting to treat myself with more kindness at last. But it’s a work in progress or course!
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Jonny: Less judgement of each other (and ourselves). I find that we’re all so quick to judge-myself included-it’s something I’ve got better at though. I’m a firm believer of the quote “don’t judge a person till you walk a mile in their shoes.” However, I feel society has become increasingly judgemental, especially in recent times. Perhaps it is something to do with the rise of social media? I’ve been lucky enough to work in person with individuals from all different backgrounds and experiences-including those in prisons-which has taught me a lot about suspending judgement. I also really enjoy working with children-especially younger ones who haven’t formed judgements just yet. If we all could all be a lot more child-like and unconditionally accepting of people around us, the world would be a much better place to live in I’m sure.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for wellbeing would you recommend?
Jonny: I particularly enjoy reading Jon Kabat Zinn’s books, and watching Thich Nhat Hanh’s lectures. Pema Chodron also has some insightful books and talks online. I gain so much from anyone who has wisdom to offer on the complex human mind. I tend to use the app Insight Timer a great deal too. It’s a great resource. There’s so much out there now are I feel very fortunate that we’re living in a time where we have access to all these tools at our fingertips. It’s often difficult to know where to start at the beginning of the journey however. I usually recommend the book Finding Peace In A Frantic World if someone is ready and looking to change their mindset. That book massively helped me when I was in a lost, fragile place in my 20s.
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Jonny:
Bonus Question! Is there anything else pertinent you would like to add to the conversation?
Jonny: My new book, The Book of Hope, was recently published. I think people need hope more than ever after the past challenging year we’ve all had. I pray it brings some comfort, and inspiration too, to anyone who might need it.
Further Exploration - Jonny Benjamin, MBE
Website: Jonny Benjamin
Jonny's website containing information about him, his charity Beyond, his books, public speaking, film, media & awards and how to contact him.
Book: "The Book of Hope: 101 Voices on Overcoming Adversity"
Jonny's new book "The Book of Hope: 101 Voices on Overcoming Adversity" brings together 101 contributors from all walks of life - actors, musicians, athletes, psychologists and activists – to share what gives them hope.
Charity: Beyond
Beyond ia a youth mental health charity, co-founded by Jonny, aiming to improve mental health education and provisions for young people. The charity is a grant-giving organisation that aims to provide mental health support to young people, their families and teachers.
Social Media - Follow Jonny Below
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With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with mental wellbeing