David Woods Bartley
David Woods Bartley has seen his fair share of successes and setbacks, from directing a nationally recognized nonprofit to battling a life-threatening mental illness. The latter, a brutal knock-down, drag-out fight with clinical depression, led David to a suicide attempt. Now David continues the important yet challenging journey from the isolation of mental “hellness” to the inclusive space of mental wellness. David’s mission is to shine a bright light on the crisis we now face and open doors to the possibility of mental health for everyone, everywhere. Currently, David is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the International Association for Youth Mental Health, the National Storytelling Network’s Healing Story Alliance, and Active Minds. He holds certifications in Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Youth, SafeTALK (Suicide Awareness for Everyone), and the suicide prevention technique known as QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer). In addition to giving two TED Talks and being named a 2021 Mental Health Champion by the prestigious Steinberg Institute, David has presented more than 500 times to audiences across the U.S., Canada, Central America, and India, giving in-person and virtual presentations on the subjects of mental health, suicide awareness and prevention, organizational culture, and leadership.