The suicide rate for men has been rising at an alarming rate and it currently stands to be three-quarters higher in men than it is with women. The new ONS figures in September have shown an increase in suicides especially in men due to stresses around work and finances. So what can we do? How can we support the men in our lives to speak up and ask for help? How do we create a society that supports vulnerability and the courage to speak up?

This event is bringing two incredible speakers Dan Keeley and Paul McGregor, to have a raw and important discussion on the increasing rates on male suicide. The aim is to bring awareness to the issue and to create a safe space where we can have an open and honest conversation on the issue and how we can support those around us who may be suffering. How do we change the perceptions around suicide and how can we support the organisations in the UK that are helping those in need.

The Be The Alchemy series is a new breed of workshop. The format of each event will start with a 40 minute conversation between two experts - Dan and Paul. During this conversation, they will raise a question on this particular topic. This question will then be presented to all participants, who will be sent out into breakout groups for 15 minutes to discuss this question. This will allow people to make connections with fellow change-makers and use diverse thinking to make a change.

All participants will be pulled back into the main session to create an Alchemy Manifesto with all of the groups participating in an action plan on how they can take action in their lives or in their community. These events are all about taking action and transforming the world that we live in.

Lets learn and take action - #BeTheAlchemy

Dan Keeley is now one of the UK’s leading mental health activists; professional speakers on a mission to empower others to speak up when we’re suffering. In 2017, after 5-year battle with bipolar disorder and suicidal ideation, Dan successfully completed a 1250-mile solo &; self-supported running adventure from the Colosseum in Rome back to the London Eye to celebrate his journey of recovery and share his story on a national scale -raising over £17,000 for the Campaign Against Living Miserably and inspiring hundreds of others to speak up about their own personal battles.

Dan has been featured on many national media platforms including BBC England, London Live, The Evening Standard, The Telegraph, The Sun and credited by the national Heads Together campaign. Dan is also the Founder & Mission Director of #AREWEOKUK: the social enterprise on a mission to empower the UK to speak up when we’re suffering so that together we can show future generations how it’s done.

Paul McGregor is a mental health speaker and author who shares his personal experience in the aim of normalising mental health conversations. As the Founder of everymindatwork.com, he works with over 100+ businesses with workplace mental health solutions, and personally is involved in various mental health charities. His work has been featured on Sky News, BBC News, The Huffington Post and more.