Thanking Jeff Bell as Deconstructing Stigma Host Retires

Jeff Bell, the familiar and reassuring voice behind Deconstructing Stigma’s widely respected mental health training program, retired on May 1.

During his time with the organization, Jeff interviewed more than 100 subject matter experts and connected with individuals from around the world, helping to educate and inspire countless people on issues related to mental health.

“I can’t begin to explain how fortunate we have been to have Jeff as a member of our team for the last handful of years,” says Scott J. O’Brien, co-founder of Deconstructing Stigma.

“We will miss Jeff not only for his many professional talents but also for being a great advocate and someone we consider a friend. As much as I am going to miss working together, I’m so excited for him to be able to spend more time with his family.”

As a 30-year veteran of broadcast news (he retired in 2022 as co-anchor of the KCBS Afternoon News in San Francisco), Jeff brought decades of mental health and advocacy knowledge to the Deconstructing Stigma team.

His two books, Rewind, Replay, Repeat and When in Doubt, Make Belief, established him as a leading voice in adversity-driven advocacy, mental health awareness, and motivation rooted in purpose and service.

In addition to his career as an author, speaker, and award-winning journalist, Jeff served for eight years as a national spokesperson and board member for the International OCD Foundation and lends his support to numerous mental health organizations.

In 2011, he co-founded the nonprofit Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance, aiming to foster the power of turning personal challenges into service for others facing similar struggles.

Jeff’s media and advocacy background was apparent in his role in Deconstructing Stigma.

Impeccably well-informed and prepared, Jeff could conceptualize even the most specialized content for a general audience. When conducting interviews with experts, he asked perceptive questions and followed up with insights that delved even deeper into a subject.

Jeff’s calm, steady presence helped create a safe environment for discussions of serious and sensitive issues, including suicide and depression. His compassion was evident when he spoke with those who had lived experience with mental health conditions, as well as their loved ones.

Although we’re sorry to see Jeff go, we wish him all the best in his retirement. We appreciate the time he has spent with us.

We’re so grateful that, thanks to him, we have a library of educational videos we can continue to share with the public to raise awareness, increase connection, and ultimately improve the quality of life for people around the world.