Bill Foley, Living History
- Lewis Center, OH
- Civil War Reenactment
- 5 Verified Bookings
Stacy B. said “Bill was very knowledgeable and gave an excellent presentation.”
Your list is empty.
Save musicians, entertainers, speakers, and services, and they’ll appear here.
After battling bipolar disorder for years, Gabe Howard has made it his mission to put a real face on mental illness. His informative, educational, and entertaining presentations and group discussions challenge the many misconceptions surrounding these debilitating diseases. People are already discussing these issues. Gabe adds fact and insight to the conversation.
Gabe has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Monthly, SNP newspapers, the NAMI Advocate, several blogs and newsletters, corporate training videos, government promotional and awareness videos, and on WCMH NBC 4, WBNS CBS 10, several radio broadcasts, multiple podcasts, and more!
I am an adjunct professor and future instructor/coordinator of the activity program at the University of Memphis. One of the classes I teach is an advanced life support class where the students are able to be certified as Emergency Medical Responders. Part of the curriculum involves learning how to interact with people who are mentally ill. I jumped at the opportunity to have Mr. Howard speak to my classes.
Mr. Howard was extremely informative, flexible, charismatic, and really seemed to understand how to get through to my students. In my experience college students have short attention spans (especially since the next day was Thanksgiving break) and he was able to keep them engaged the entire time. The feedback I received from my students after we returned from break was all positive and I will definitely be asking him to speak to my students on a recurring basis. His lecture/discussion was well worth the price, very reasonable.
really enjoyed the talk. Very well done and excellent use of analogies.
I thought Gabe did a great job and answered many questions. He led a discussion and encouraged us all to ask questions. He was phenomenal and I am really glad the prof asked him to speak.
Price Range: $250 and up. Contact Us For Pricing.
Gig Length: 15 - 120 minutes
Languages: English
Have Questions or Comments? Call or E-mail! We want to hear from you!
All presentations can be tailored to meet your group’s specific interests and time constraints or we can work with you to design a unique custom talk.
Gabe has several types of presentations, including corporate training workshops, educational lectures, keynote style speeches, and facilitated group discussions.
The most popular topics are:
Facts Not Fear: This honest examination of a difficult and often painful topic helps participants understand the true nature of this illness. It is a straightforward examination of the role of violence, including suicide, in mental illness. The mistaken assumption that everyone with mental illness has the potential to be violent against others influences much of the stigma surrounding these disorders. The misguided notion that most sufferers are not at risk of dying by suicide is also explored.
Gabe’s personal story: The inspiring, humorous, and emotional story of how Gabe has learned to live well, in spite of the limitations of his disease. Gabe tells of how his life and successful career were derailed after crashing and being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After diagnosis, life was difficult and he struggled with employment and relationships. After years of medical care, therapy, and hard work, Gabe eventually came to accept that bipolar disorder is an incurable illness that must be managed on a daily basis. He recognized that life will never go back to what he expected before the diagnosis, but a full life can be lived with illness.
Mental Illness Mythbusters: A look at the many myths and misconceptions surrounding mental health and the mentally ill. Examples include the myths that mentally ill people are violent, that 1 in 4 people suffer from mental illness, that personality weaknesses or character flaws cause mental illness, and that people with mental illness are unemployable. A fact-based and engaging presentation that answers a lot of the questions people have about who becomes mentally ill, how common it is, what causes it, how it is treated, and how society perceives those who are afflicted.
Q&A periods are included with each presentation.
Gabe Howard is currently the Executive Director of Speak Our Mind, a non-profit (501(c)(3) pending) that trains people living with mental illness, as well as others, to be mental health speakers and advocates. With this training, they can educate and inform others in an engaging and professional manner. Speak Our Mind works in the community to ensure they literally "meet people where they are."
For Gabe's full bio please visit his website.
Gabe is influenced by the difficulties and successes of the thousands of people living with mental illness and their family members he has met and worked with over the past 10 years.
Varies by venue. Please discuss during booking.
Stacy B. said “Bill was very knowledgeable and gave an excellent presentation.”
Lee N. said “We had Michael perform atbour festival. He was a big hit with the kids. Unfortunately, due to iffy weather and poor planning we did not have the crowd…”
Caitlyn K. said “Engaging and gave me reminders to be present in my life.”
Rivky G. said “Brian was a pleasure to work with! Although this was a last minute booking with some specific requests, he was super accomdating! He was flexible and…”