Allan Kehler, B.Ed, B.PhEd
Mental Health Advocate, Wellness Coach and Professional Speaker
Presentations
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All topics can be delivered as Keynotes, Workshops or Breakout Sessions, in-person or virtually
Whether you are looking for an intimate group setting or a packed auditorium, Allan will create a lasting impact. He speaks on a variety of topics including resilience, stress management, and mental health.
Allan works with organizations that are looking to create a culture of connection where individuals feel heard, seen, and supported. He encourages people to slow down, reflect, and regain control of their life.
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Find Your Voice. Find Your Power
Redefining what it means to be ‘strong’
In an effort to avoid being perceived as ‘weak’, many people bury their emotions deep within. This, in turn, causes individuals to sacrifice their health, safety and future success. It’s time to shatter the culture of silence around mental health.
Having experienced challenges with mental illness, addictions and suicide first-hand, Allan shares his captivating story of resilience and hope. Through an interactive quiz, you will learn how to remove your mask, step into vulnerability, and connect to yourself and others in a more authentic way. Vulnerability isn’t just about sharing our stories – it’s about creating safe spaces where others can find their voice.
While we all have our own challenges, we were not meant to fight our battles alone. Discover how to create a thriving community where people can be seen, heard, and supported.
Takeways: Find Your Voice. Find Your Power
• Identify barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help
• Explore the relationship that exists between psychological distress and safety
• Embrace the power of your story
• Learn how to effectively support individuals
• Discover how to create an attitude of resilience
• Receive the 6 commitments to creating wellness in the workplace and beyond -
Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
Learn how to prioritize your wellness and start living for YOU!
In this fast-paced world, many individuals are being asked to do more with less. Learn how to slow down and create a work-life balance no matter what surrounds you.
Drawing strength from Allan’s captivating stories of resilience and hope, you will be inspired to persevere through your personal challenges rather than avoiding or escaping them. After taking an honest look at what lies beneath your stress, you will be guided through a holistic approach towards wellness. Get ready to participate in an interactive quiz, various hands-on activities, and the exciting game of PieFace!
It’s time to transform your relationship with stress and reclaim your life. Watch what happens when you stop existing and start living for YOU! Together, let’s create a community where prioritizing mental health is celebrated and supported.
Takeaways: Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
• Examine the difference between existing and living
• Understand the relationship that exists between stress and performance
• Receive tools to manage stress and prevent burnout
• Reflect on your own wellness through the ‘Balance Wheel’ exercise
• Learn how to stop feeling guilty when prioritizing your wellness
• Explore how to effectively navigate through change -
Life-changing Mental Health Conversations
How one teacher can change a student’s life in 10 minutes
This presentation is for educators who are looking to strengthen the conversion of mental health in the classrooms, school, and community. If you want to learn how you can leave a lasting impression on someone, and perhaps even change their life, Allan’s story will do that and more!
As a student, it appeared that Allan had everything going for him. He was the president of his school, captain of sports teams, and athlete of the year. While attending university, he received a national scholarship as an outstanding community citizen. Meanwhile, Allen was silently battling through his challenges with mental illness and addictions.
A teacher finally saw beneath Allan’s mask, and changed his entire life through a simple process. Allan shares his powerful approach and reveals how to effectively help students to navigate through change. Through an interactive quiz, audiences will gain an increased understanding of topics including mental illness, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and wellness.
As educators, we know that a student can’t succeed at an academic level if their emotional needs are not being met. Learn how to effectively talk to your students about mental health while making sure that they feel seen heard and supported.
Takeaways: Live-changing Mental Health Conversations
• Identify barriers that prevent students from seeking help
• Shatter the stigma and stereotypes associated with mental illness
• Learn how to recognize and support students who appear to be in distress
• Explore how to effectively navigate through change
• Discover how to create an attitude of resilience
• Receive the 6 commitments to creating Wellness in the classroom -
MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk
Discover how vulnerability equals strength
This presentation is ideal for those who work in skilled trades, corporations, associations, organizations, and community events.
If you’re looking for your audience to learn how to effectively talk to men about their mental health, let’s talk.
The relationship between men and mental health has often been referred to as a silent crisis. In an effort to avoid being perceived as weak or vulnerable, many men have a tendency to bury their emotions deep within.
Based on Allan’s bestselling book MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk, this keynote features men who have persevered through their own mental health challenges. These lived experiences will provide a better understanding of topics relating to masculinity, mental illness, addiction, sexual abuse, suicide, and ultimately wellness.
Audience members, of all genders, will benefit from this timely message in various ways. Men will be able to relate to other men’s lived experiences, recognize that vulnerability is often met with compassion not judgement, and understand the freedom that comes from reaching out for help. Women will gain a new perspective on this issue and receive the confidence to reach out and connect with the men in their lives.
This keynote is guaranteed to break the silence surrounding men and mental health and is a powerful reminder that the time to talk is now.
Takeaways: MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk
• Identify barriers that prevent men from seeking help
• Inspire men to embrace vulnerability as their superpower
• Understand how men react differently to mental health issues than women
• Redefine what it means to “be a man’’
• Learn how to better support the men in our lives -
Talking Circle: Creating meaningful connections
The talking circle is a unique way of bringing people together to debrief and process emotions following Allan’s message. The circle is a safe, non-judgmental space that allows each individual to be seen while also having the opportunity to be heard.
Allan provides a talking stick and through sharing, participants quickly realize that other members of this circle experience similar thoughts, challenges, and fears. It becomes clear that we are only alone when we choose to be alone.
Learning Objectives from the Talking Circle
• Participant with the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported
• Strengthen relationships within a community
• Create the opportunity for active listening and reflection
• Retain teachings and build up on them for a long-lasting impact
All topics can be delivered as Keynotes, Workshops or Breakout Sessions, in-person or virtually
Whether you are looking for an intimate group setting or a packed auditorium, Allan will create a lasting impact. He speaks on a variety of topics including resilience, stress management, and mental health.
Allan works with organizations that are looking to create a culture of connection where individuals feel heard, seen, and supported. He encourages people to slow down, reflect, and regain control of their life.
Find Your Voice. Find Your Power
Redefining what it means to be ‘strong’
In an effort to avoid being perceived as ‘weak’, many people bury their emotions deep within. This, in turn, causes individuals to sacrifice their health, safety and future success. It’s time to shatter the culture of silence around mental health.
Having experienced challenges with mental illness, addictions and suicide first-hand, Allan shares his captivating story of resilience and hope. Through an interactive quiz, you will learn how to remove your mask, step into vulnerability, and connect to yourself and others in a more authentic way. Vulnerability isn’t just about sharing our stories – it’s about creating safe spaces where others can find their voice.
While we all have our own challenges, we were not meant to fight our battles alone. Discover how to create a thriving community where people can be seen, heard, and supported.
Takeways: Find Your Voice. Find Your Power
• Identify barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help
• Explore the relationship that exists between psychological distress and safety
• Embrace the power of your story
• Learn how to effectively support individuals
• Discover how to create an attitude of resilience
• Receive the 6 commitments to creating wellness in the workplace and beyond
Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
Learn how to prioritize your wellness and start living for YOU!
In this fast-paced world, many individuals are being asked to do more with less. Learn how to slow down and create a work-life balance no matter what surrounds you.
Drawing strength from Allan’s captivating stories of resilience and hope, you will be inspired to persevere through your personal challenges rather than avoiding or escaping them. After taking an honest look at what lies beneath your stress, you will be guided through a holistic approach towards wellness. Get ready to participate in an interactive quiz, various hands-on activities, and the exciting game of PieFace!
It’s time to transform your relationship with stress and reclaim your life. Watch what happens when you stop existing and start living for YOU! Together, let’s create a community where prioritizing mental health is celebrated and supported.
Takeaways: Goodbye Stress. Hello Life!
• Examine the difference between existing and living
• Understand the relationship that exists between stress and performance
• Receive tools to manage stress and prevent burnout
• Reflect on your own wellness through the ‘Balance Wheel’ exercise
• Learn how to stop feeling guilty when prioritizing your wellness
• Explore how to effectively navigate through change
Life-changing Mental Health Conversations
How one teacher can change a student’s life in 10 minutes
This presentation is for educators who are looking to strengthen the conversion of mental health in the classrooms, school, and community. If you want to learn how you can leave a lasting impression on someone, and perhaps even change their life, Allan’s story will do that and more!
As a student, it appeared that Allan had everything going for him. He was the president of his school, captain of sports teams, and athlete of the year. While attending university, he received a national scholarship as an outstanding community citizen. Meanwhile, Allen was silently battling through his challenges with mental illness and addictions.
A teacher finally saw beneath Allan’s mask, and changed his entire life through a simple process. Allan shares his powerful approach and reveals how to effectively help students to navigate through change. Through an interactive quiz, audiences will gain an increased understanding of topics including mental illness, suicide prevention, substance abuse, and wellness.
As educators, we know that a student can’t succeed at an academic level if their emotional needs are not being met. Learn how to effectively talk to your students about mental health while making sure that they feel seen heard and supported.
Takeaways: Live-changing Mental Health Conversations
• Identify barriers that prevent students from seeking help
• Shatter the stigma and stereotypes associated with mental illness
• Learn how to recognize and support students who appear to be in distress
• Explore how to effectively navigate through change
• Discover how to create an attitude of resilience
• Receive the 6 commitments to creating Wellness in the classroom
MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk
Discover how vulnerability equals strength
This presentation is ideal for those who work in skilled trades, corporations, associations, organizations, and community events.
If you’re looking for your audience to learn how to effectively talk to men about their mental health, let’s talk.
The relationship between men and mental health has often been referred to as a silent crisis. In an effort to avoid being perceived as weak or vulnerable, many men have a tendency to bury their emotions deep within.
Based on Allan’s bestselling book MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk, this keynote features men who have persevered through their own mental health challenges. These lived experiences will provide a better understanding of topics relating to masculinity, mental illness, addiction, sexual abuse, suicide, and ultimately wellness.
Audience members, of all genders, will benefit from this timely message in various ways. Men will be able to relate to other men’s lived experiences, recognize that vulnerability is often met with compassion not judgement, and understand the freedom that comes from reaching out for help. Women will gain a new perspective on this issue and receive the confidence to reach out and connect with the men in their lives.
This keynote is guaranteed to break the silence surrounding men and mental health and is a powerful reminder that the time to talk is now.
Takeaways: MENtal Health: It’s Time to Talk
• Identify barriers that prevent men from seeking help
• Inspire men to embrace vulnerability as their superpower
• Understand how men react differently to mental health issues than women
• Redefine what it means to “be a man’’
• Learn how to better support the men in our lives
Talking Circle: Creating meaningful connections
The talking circle is a unique way of bringing people together to debrief and process emotions following Allan’s message. The circle is a safe, non-judgmental space that allows each individual to be seen while also having the opportunity to be heard.
Allan provides a talking stick and through sharing, participants quickly realize that other members of this circle experience similar thoughts, challenges, and fears. It becomes clear that we are only alone when we choose to be alone.
Learning Objectives from the Talking Circle
• Participant with the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported
• Strengthen relationships within a community
• Create the opportunity for active listening and reflection
• Retain teachings and build up on them for a long-lasting impact
Testimonials
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"I first hired Allan to speak at our Safety Seminar in 2014. Since then, we have brought him back several times to share his message of mental health, safety, and resilience. Allan is repeatedly rated by delegates as one of their favorite speakers, and as an event planner I will never hesitate to bring him back! I am certain that Allan’s work has saved many lives and that his continued leadership will save countless more."
Ryan Jacobson, CEO, Saskatchewan Safety Council
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"Allan was such a captivating speaker that people were still talking about him long after the event. Besides being a naturally gifted speaker, what made Allan so incredible is that he reached out in advance to learn more about our organization and our members. His ability to connect not only to the group, but to actually connect the group with each other was outstanding. I can't say enough about recommending him as a speaker."
Rob Grimwood, President, Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
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"Allan is an inspiration to us all. His honesty, heartfelt, emotional and inspirational delivery should be heard by all. I feel lucky to have been part of the 700+ attendees taking part. I laughed, I cried, and I felt so much better for it. Allan certainly puts everything into perspective."
Stephen McRory, Associate Director Funding & Liquidity Management, Scotiabank, Ireland
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"Agents are still raving about Allan’s keynote. He took time to research our company, adapt his speech to our industry, and was a true professional. Allan's delivery and genuine approach made the discussion of mental health applicable, and he made a difference in our Agents’ lives and their business."
Heidi Paranych, CEO, RE/MAX Elite
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"Allan has presented many times in our school division, and I feel empowered and enlightened every time I hear him speak. He delivers his message from the heart, and with energy and wit. He will make you laugh. He will make you cry. Best of all, he will make you think about how to live and be better. Allan has made a deep impact in connection with us, and we consider him one of our good friends."
Terry Jordens, Superintendent of Student Services and Assessment, Holy Family RCSSD #140
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"Allan's keynote was met with an enthusiastic standing ovation. I have received dozens of positive comments about Allen, with many noting that it was the most empowering PD session they ever attended. I would recommend Allan as a speaker for any teachers’ conference as his message was important, practical and motivating."
James Siemens, Past President, Sun West Teachers’ Association
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"Allen brings a powerful message of hope, empathy and inspiration for teachers faced with the challenge an uncertainty about how to approach an assist students. Alan speaks with emotion, commitment, experience, and without reservation. It is his mission and hope that teachers discover ways to use his personal experience to ensure that no student feels the need to hide in silence."
Walley Porter, Past President, North Central Teachers’ Convention Association
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"Despite not being indigenous, Allan is an amazing ally, and really understands the issues surrounding mental health and addictions for our community members. His personal and touching story was eye opening and grounding. I really enjoyed working with Allan, from the first contact until long after the conference. He will definitely be on our list of speakers for future events."
Shelley Frances, Executive Director, Mawlugutineg Mental Wellness Team
Ryan Jacobson, CEO, Saskatchewan Safety Council
Media Gallery
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