Donal Scanlan is Head of MindShift Ireland, where he leads the development and delivery of evidence-based mental health education and early-intervention programmes, such as Mental Health First Aid™ and The WorkingMind® across Ireland.  He studied at Trinity College Dublin, completing both undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Nursing, Mental Health, Addiction Studies and Group Therapy.  He brings more than 27 years’ experience across mental health, healthcare, education and organisational wellbeing.

Donal has helped Adult and Youth MHFA grow into a national movement reaching workplaces, healthcare, education, sport and communities.  He is passionate about the power of human connection and how mental health education can give people the confidence to notice, listen, start a conversation and support one another.

He has lectured at esteemed institutions such as the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and University College Ireland. He has contributed to prestigious platforms including the Irish Government's Forum on Mental Health, the Garda (Police) Commissioners Conference, and even the European Parliament.

In the media spotlight, he has contributed to digital, television, and print platforms. Beyond the limelight, you'll find him championing national mental health campaigns and cheering on Leinster and Irish Rugby with unwavering passion.  Amidst it all, he has a love of good conversation — preferably accompanied by a decent coffee- and shares the rest of his time with his family, 3 dogs, 3 cats, and the legendary goldfish, Stevie (Nicks).