Preventive Mental Health Conference 2026

Stephen Carbone is the co-founder, former CEO, and current Board member of Prevention United. Stephen has extensive clinical experience in mental health having worked as a medical officer in Victoria’s mental healthcare system, and as a GP with a special interest in mental healthcare. Stephen also has substantial experience in mental health policy, program and service development, and research and evaluation acquired through senior roles in government and non-government organisations. Stephen spent much of his career providing care and working to improve supports and services for people experiencing mental health challenges, however, over the last decade his focus has shifted ‘upstream’ to look at ways to promote mental wellbeing and prevent mental ill-health across the Australian community.

​

Professor Calder has worked in health policy for more than three decades and leads the health policy team in the Institute of Health and Sport.

Professor Calder also leads the Australian Health Policy Collaboration (AHPC), an informal national network of leading health organisations and chronic disease experts that was established in 2014 to collaborate in translation of rigorous research into good policy for better health. The collaboration developed health targets and indicators for preventable chronic diseases to influence health policy and practice and reduce risk factors for preventable chronic conditions throughout the Australian population.

Professor Calder has held positions as a senior executive in health policy and administration in both State and Commonwealth Departments of Health and was head of the Office for the Status of Women in the Commonwealth Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2000 to 2003. She was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2015 Australia Day Honours. She received the honour for “significant service to public administration, particularly in the areas of mental health and ageing, through academic roles, and to the community.” Professor Calder is a sociologist and began her career as a journalist with The Age.

​

Dr Jaelea Skehan OAM an internationally respected leader in the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide. She is a registered psychologist, researcher, facilitator and policy adviser. Jaelea has worked at Everymind since 2001 and was appointed as the Director in 2012.

Jaelea has supported the development of government and industry strategies and policies at a state, national and international level. Between 2019 and 2020 she took leave from Everymind to head up the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce, supporting delivery of the Final Advice to the Prime Minister on Suicide Prevention.

Jaelea is passionate about translating evidence into practice and building the capacity of individuals, families, organisations and communities to be involved in mental health and suicide prevention. She is committed to innovation, harnessing the voice of lived experience and supporting greater uptake of prevention evidence. She enjoys working in partnership with others and developing the next generation of leaders in mental health and suicide prevention.

​

Dr. Addie Wootten is a mental health leader dedicated to supporting a positive and proactive approach to mental health. She is the Director of Strategic Engagement at Smiling Mind, where she previously served as CEO for over eight years and a Clinical Psychologist by background. Under her leadership, Smiling Mind has become known as a global leader in preventative mental health, with its app reaching over 9.5 million users and programs embedded in more than 1,700 schools across Australia.

Dr. Wootten holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from Monash University and has a background in research and clinical practice in major Melbourne with a strong focus on supporting people living with cancer. Before joining Smiling Mind, she was Director of Clinical and Allied Health Research at the Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre.

She is a passionate advocate for building mental fitness from early childhood and has led the development of evidence-based digital tools and wellbeing programs. A Williamson Community Leadership Program alumna, Dr. Wootten is also a published researcher in mindfulness, e-health, and psychological wellbeing.

​

Tom is the Director, Australasian Men's Health (Community and Online) at Movember. Tom has extensive experience in leadership, strategy, service innovation and clinical governance through over 15 years in oversight of Mental Health, Family and Family Violence Services. Tom is a psychologist, passionate about trauma informed care, effective service design and partnership to resolve complex issues and achieve systems change.

 

Sharon is Executive Director of Lived Experience Australia, a nationally awarded mental health consumer/carer advocacy organisation. Sharon brings her personal lived experience and 20+ years as a family carer to several national representative roles including the Board of Mental Health Australia and Australian Self-Care Alliance. Sharon is also a lived experience researcher at Flinders University, and was previously lead SA Mental Health Commissioner in 2020-21. She is particularly passionate about preventing and addressing co-occurring physical health and mental health, stigma and coercion in care, and exploring the person’s and their family’s experiences of seeking and receiving support.

​

Rebecca Lee is the Advocacy and Equity Manager at Beyond Blue, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the health sector. She began her career as a hospital pharmacist before discovering her passion for public health, where she has since focused on roles that advance health equity. Bec has held policy roles across government and not-for-profit organisations, weaving in a public health mindset to champion inclusive and equitable health outcomes. At Beyond Blue, she leads advocacy initiatives that promote mental health and wellbeing, alongside influencing system and social change for safe, affirming and inclusive supports. Her work reflects a deep commitment to prevention and systemic change, which she brings to her role on the organising committee for the Preventive Mental Health Conference.

​

Kelly is an experienced public health professional with extensive experience in working in the government and non-profit sector. She is currently the Director of Strategic Policy and Planning with the Western Australian Mental Health Commission, responsible for leading strategic initiatives directed towards achieving person centred and recovery-oriented mental health and alcohol and other drugs systems. Her portfolio spans social and emotional wellbeing and Aboriginal affairs, intergovernmental relations, strategic policy, legislation and lived experience and stakeholder engagement.

​

Suzanne Dick is a senior executive and registered psychologist with over 20 years of clinical, operational, and strategic leadership experience across the mental health sector. She brings deep expertise in system reform, service innovation, commissioning, research, and evaluation, underpinned by a strong commitment to improving mental health outcomes at both individual and population levels.
Suzanne has a proven track record of working collaboratively across government, service providers, and community organisations to drive policy and service improvements. With a comprehensive understanding of the mental health ecosystem, she advocates for a proactive, prevention-focused approach to mental health—aimed at promoting wellbeing and building more resilient communities for future generations.

​

Mr Terry Slevin has been Chief Executive Officer for the Public Health Association of Australia since May 2018. 

He is Adjunct Professor in the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University, and Adjunct Professor in the College of Health and Medicine at the Australian National University. 

He is a Fellow of PHAA, and was the first Vice President (Development) of the Association.

​