Jon Nelson, Speaker

Co-Founder Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer | One Mind

"Jon Nelson is a phoenix of an advocate, having faced the harshest depths of depression and emerge with near-superhuman dedication to empower people living with mental illness. Yet as a refreshingly genuine human, he is supportive, curious, empathetic, and funny in short, an amazing ally for the mental health cause and all those who believe in it."

Director | Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics

Professor, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Neuroscience Mount Sinai Professor | Neurotherapeutics Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

"There is no better ambassador for a difficult mission than one who has lived it.And it is with great admiration that I watch Jon's evolution from a research participant to a research and patient advocate. For patients with severe treatment-resistant depression, the lack of access to best-available treatments is overshadowed only by the lack of new treatments when the best-available also fails. Empowered by timing and access to an experimental treatment, Jon now champions access to care at all stages of illness and advocates for scientific and technology development that will accelerate innovation and make the suffering of treatment-resistant depression a distant memory for all."

Former CEO | Hill Holiday & The Boston Globe

"Jon Nelson is a prize fighter who comes out swinging. Friends and family were in his corner, but he was the one who threw roundhouse after roundhouse to challenge the system and get the help he needed. And now he's in the corner of everyone suffering silently or publicly with PulverizeTheStigma. You will not find a more ferocious advocate."

Associate Professor of Neurology |
Harvard Medical School

"It was an honor having Jon on my Stimulating Brains podcast. I stand in awe before Jon's dedicated and courageous work to reduce stigma around mental illness. His work is of utmost importance to move care and treatment for persons with brain disorders, our understanding of the brain, and even our society as a whole forward. Jon and his family have endured a long path of suffering. Ultimately, Jon underwent brain surgery that could finally help him to get his life back. It is admirable to see that Jon uses his story and experience to now help others, who may be in similar situations to the one he was in and are in dire need of treatment. By openly communicating his experience Jon helps people suffering from mental disorders, Jon not only helps our field, he changes the world."

Director | Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

"Jon's remarks were profoundly moving as he eloquently shared his journey with raw honesty living with treatment-resistant depression and undergoing deep brain stimulation. His powerful words resonated deeply, offering hope and greater understanding of the challenges faced by those living with similar conditions. Jon is a true inspiration to us all and the reason why we do what we do each day!"

Executive Director | American Brain Coalition

"Jon was instrumental in successfully advocating for BRAIN Initiative funding during the recent Congressional Neuroscience Caucus Briefing on Capitol Hill. It's crucial for Congress to hear directly from those affected by brain-related diseases to fully grasp the implications of their legislative decisions on their constituents. Jon's sincere and compelling message left a lasting impression on Members of Congress and their staff, ensuring that the importance of BRAIN Initiative funding discussions and considerations moving forward."

CEO | Motif Neurotech

"Jon has such a compelling way of telling his story and helping others understand the nature of the disease. If you have a chance to work with Jon, all I can say is: Do it."

Manager Who Saved My Life
Healthcare Communications Legend

"Humans come into your life for a reason. Jon has taught me the importance of mental health, something we ALL take for granted. And the importance of just BEING THERE for someone. Don't have to talk - -just hold their hands and remind them that they matter more than they'll ever know."