Mental Health Speakers for Schools: Empowering Students Through Storytelling & Support

Mental health has become one of the most important topics facing students today. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, bullying, and stress-related challenges, schools across the country are looking for ways to support student well-being—and mental health speakers are one of the most impactful tools available.

Bringing mental health speakers into schools can help normalize conversations about emotional wellness, reduce stigma, and give students practical tools to manage stress, build resilience, and support one another. But not all speakers are created equal. The most effective speakers don’t just lecture—they connect, relate, and inspire through personal storytelling and real-life experience.

At TEEN TRUTH, our mental health speakers are trained to do exactly that.

Why Mental Health Speakers Matter in Schools

Middle and high school students are facing an overwhelming amount of pressure—academically, socially, and personally. From navigating friendships and family issues to coping with social media, body image, or trauma, it’s no surprise that more students are struggling with their mental health than ever before.

Here’s why inviting a mental health speaker into your school can make a powerful difference:

• Increases awareness about anxiety, depression, and emotional struggles

   

• Destigmatizes mental health and creates a safe space for students to speak up

   

• Provides coping strategies students can use in real life

   

• Encourages empathy, inclusion, and peer support

   

• Connects students with resources for help

   

Most importantly, mental health speakers help students realize they are not alone—and that there is always help and hope.

What Makes TEEN TRUTH Mental Health Speakers Different?

TEEN TRUTH has built a reputation as one of the nation’s leading school assembly and student engagement programs. Our speakers are not only powerful storytellers—they’re trained professionals who understand the emotional and psychological needs of students today.

We use a peer-to-peer, story-based approach that encourages students to reflect on their own challenges and empowers them to take action. Our speakers bring a mix of honesty, humor, and heart that truly resonates with students—especially in assemblies focused on mental health.

Our programs are built to spark change in school culture and student mindsets, with an emphasis on:

• Mental health

   

• Bullying prevention

   

• School connectedness

   

• Social-emotional learning

   

• Student leadership and empowerment

RootFeatured Mental Health Speakers from TEEN TRUTH

JC Pohl – TEEN TRUTH Co-Founder & Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Associate

JC Pohl is a nationally certified counselor and the co-creator of TEEN TRUTH. He combines 20+ years of experience in education with clinical expertise in marriage and family therapy to deliver impactful, solution-focused mental health programs.

JC’s unique background as a filmmaker and speaker has taken him to over 7,000 schools, where he has empowered millions of students to speak their truth and support one another. His mental health keynotes are packed with powerful storytelling and tangible tools that leave a lasting impact on students, staff, and school culture.

Focus Areas: Mental health resilience, student connectedness, trauma-informed care, SEL integration, staff development

Jamar Root – Musician, Educator, and Authentic Storyteller

Jamar Root brings his experience as a leader and student athlete to the stage in a way that instantly resonates with young audiences. He opens up about his own battles with mental health, identity, and growing up in a world that often expected him to fail.

Through raw honesty and vulnerability, Jamar helps students see the power of choice, the importance of support systems, and the value of owning your story. His energetic presence and message of perseverance leave students with a sense of hope and agency over their lives.

Focus Areas: Mental health awareness, emotional regulation, self-worth, positive life choices

Brandon McCall – Actor, Youth Mentor & Mental Health Advocate

Brandon McCall has a natural ability to connect with students through empathy and lived experience. Coming from a background filled with hardship, Brandon shares how he turned his life around through mentorship, positive relationships, and mental wellness strategies.

He speaks candidly about dealing with depression, anger, and toxic environments, helping students understand the importance of self-care, therapy, and support. Brandon’s message is especially powerful for at-risk youth and those who feel unseen or misunderstood.

Focus Areas: Mental health stigma, peer pressure, emotional strength, personal transformation

Jordan Meyer – Former College Athlete & Student Wellness Champion

Jordan Meyer speaks directly to the pressures of performance and perfectionism that many students face today. As a former Division 1 athlete, he brings insight into the silent mental health battles often hidden behind achievements and accolades.

Jordan’s sessions focus on self-awareness, the danger of comparison, and how to ask for help. His calm yet impactful presence reassures students that strength includes vulnerability and that they are more than their accomplishments.

Focus Areas: Anxiety, performance pressure, self-acceptance, mindfulness, mental health in athletics

Assembly Format Options

TEEN TRUTH offers flexible formats to meet your school’s needs, including:

• In-person assemblies for middle and high schools

   

• Virtual assemblies via Zoom or video

   

• Custom workshops for smaller groups or leadership classes

   

• Staff professional development focused on mental health support

   

Each program includes pre-event planning, interactive storytelling, and optional Q&A sessions to foster engagement and conversation beyond the assembly.

What Schools Are Saying

“TEEN TRUTH’s assembly was unlike anything we’ve done before. Our students were talking about it for weeks. It opened the door to real conversations about mental health and got kids thinking about how they treat each other—and themselves.”
— Principal, Texas High School

“We’ve brought in a lot of speakers over the years, but JC and his team connected with our kids in a way I’ve never seen. They made mental health real, approachable, and something our students actually want to talk about.”
— Counselor, California Middle School

*Reviews may be generated by Teen Truth and may not be actual customer testimonials.

Ready to Bring a Mental Health Speaker to Your School?

If you’re looking for a powerful way to support your students, improve school culture, and take real steps toward emotional wellness on campus, a TEEN TRUTH mental health speaker is a great place to start.

Contact us today to learn more about booking JC, Jamar, Brandon, or Jordan for your next school assembly. Together, we can help students feel seen, supported, and inspired to speak their truth.