Ben lost his childhood best friend Steve Yates to suicide. In his talk he describes how he wanted to find some good from something so bad. Creating a film, “Steve”, then taking it to the men who needed it the most and starting a talking movement. And how 6 words can save a life. Ben Akers is a writer, director, problem solver and male mental fitness campaigner. For 20 years he has worked at some of the world’s top advertising agencies both in the UK and Sydney. He then decided to use his evil powers for good, and joined the environmental and sustainable revolution. He now only works on projects that are good for the world. So when his childhood best friend took his own life in 2014, he needed to do something. He created a documentary called “Steve” and from that a male mental fitness movement, Talk Club.

Ben lives in Bristol with his wife and 3 children. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx