Jon Nelson is a passionate mental health advocate and lived-experience expert dedicated to eradicating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Having faced the challenges of serious mental illness and depressive disorder for much of his life, Jon’s personal journey fuels his tireless mission to foster open dialogue, understanding, and compassion. After a 20-year career in biopharmaceutical communications, he pivoted to focus on mental health advocacy, bringing invaluable expertise and personal insight to his work. His life took a transformative turn in 2022 when he underwent a clinical trial for deep brain stimulation, a groundbreaking procedure that led him to remission and reignited his determination to fight for others navigating similar struggles.
Jon collaborates closely with the biopharmaceutical industry and serves as a strategic advisor to leading nonprofits like One Mind and the Mental Health Collaborative. His advocacy extends to national platforms, including the NIH congressional briefing on the BRAIN Initiative, where he amplifies the voices of mental health patients. Through appearances on podcasts such as Out of Patients and Stimulating Brains, as well as features in media outlets like NPR, PBS, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jon shares his inspiring story and advocates for systemic change. Committed to keeping patients at the heart of every initiative, he continues to work toward dismantling misconceptions about mental illness, saving lives, and building a more empathetic world.
