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Conference Program

 

The draft conference program is outlined below. 

​Further program details can be accessed by clicking the button below. ​​​​​

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You can download our Printable PDF program - Please note:

  • It might not contain the latest information - Please refer to the Cover Page to know when it was last updated

  • It will be updated closer to the Conference

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You can also view details about our Keynote Speakers on our dedicated page. 

Please note registrations is free but mandatory if you want to attend one of our workshops. Registration is open to Face-to-Face delegates only. 

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Please note all times are AEDT (Sydney time). 

Please note this program is subject to change, details will be updated as they are confirmed.

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Day 1 - Tuesday 24 March 2026​

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​Opening Plenary - How do we move mental health promotion and prevention from niche to mainstream?

9.00am to 10.30am
 

  • Welcome to Country - Ms Linda Sainsbury

  • Introductory Remarks - Ms Suzanne Dick, CEO, Prevention United

  • ​Opening Address - Hon. Emma McBride, Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention and Assistant Minister for Rural and Regional Health, Australian Government

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Session Chair: Dr. Stephen Carbone

Keynote Speakers:​​​ 

  • Dr. Marthe Gold, Senior Scholar, New York Academy of Medicine 

  • Dr. Angela Jackson, Commissioner, Social Policy, Australian Government Productivity Commission​

Q&A with Keynotes

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10.30am - 11.00am - Morning Tea & Exhibition

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Plenary Session 2 -

11.00am to 12.30pm​

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Theme*: "Social and Emotional Wellbeing and First Nations People" - What does Social and Emotional Wellbeing mean and how can we apply First Nations’ wisdoms to our work in preventive mental health and mental health promotion.  

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Session Coordinators: Ms Kelly Kennington and Ms Rebecca Lee

Keynote Speakers:​​​ 

  • Dr. Suzanne (Ethsi) L. Stewart, PhD, C.Psych, Professor and Director, University of Toronto

  • Associate Professor Clinton Schultz, Director First Nations Strategy and Partnerships, Black Dog Institute

  • Professor Patricia Dudgeon, Professor, The University of Western Australia

Those keynote presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A with keynote speakers.

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12.30pm - 1.30pm - Lunch & Exhibition

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Concurrent Session 1 - Abstracts presentations (long oral) & Workshop

1.30pm to 3.00pm​​

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  • 1A - Together from the Start: Strengthening Early Foundations

  • ​1B - Shaping Stronger Systems

  • 1C - Learning from Diversity to Drive Prevention

  • 1D - Strengthening Wellbeing At Every Age

  • 1E - Workshop 1 - Prevention in Action: Nothing for Us Without Us - Details available on Workshops Page

    • Registration for workshops is free but mandatory - It is open to all face-to-face delegates.

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Detailed overviews on concurrent session content are available through the "Detailed Program" button above.

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3.00pm - 3.30pm - Afternoon Tea & Exhibition

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Plenary Session 3 -  Safety by Design: A Foundation for Preventing Mental Health Concerns

3.30pm to 5.00pm​​​​

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Session Chair: Dr. Jaelea Skehan OAM

Keynote Speakers:​​​ ​

  • Professor Jo Robinson AM, Head of Youth Suicide Prevention Research, Orygen 

  • Mr Mark Oostergo, CEO & Principal Psychologist, APS​

  • Dr. Sarthak Gandhi, Board Youth Advisor, headspace

Followed by a panel discussion where the keynote speakers listed above will be joined by: 

  • Ms Anais Arrighi, Senior Advisor, eSafety Commissioner

  • Ms Esther McKay, Advisory Group Member, Everymind Lived Experience

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5.00pm - 6.00pm - Welcome Reception​​​​

A great chance to network, catch-up with friends, make new connections and discuss the day's sessions.

Open to all delegates, registration is required. 

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*Our Conference Advisory Committee is actively working on themes and titles and details will be confirmed later.

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Day 2 - Wednesday 25 March 2026​

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Plenary Session 4 - Can digital help us do better in prevention? What’s working, what’s not, what’s next

9.00am to 10.30am

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Panel Moderator: Mr Tom Mulvaney, Australasia Director Men’s Health, Movember

Panellists:​​​ ​

  • Professor Nick Titov, Executive Director, MindSpot, Macquarie University

  • Ms Carlyn Christian, Director of Impact Campaigns, Movember

  • Dr. Addie Wootten, Director of Strategic Engagement, Smiling Mind

  • Panellist 4 - To be announced

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10.30am - 11.00am - Morning Tea & Exhibition

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Concurrent Session 2 - Abstracts presentations & Workshop

11.00am to 12.30pm​

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  • 2A - Pathways to Wellbeing: Community Perspectives in Action - Rapid Fire Presentations

  • 2B - Digger deeper: What is the evidence telling us? - Rapid Fire Presentations

  • 2C - The Future of Prevention: Insights, Signals, and Stories - Rapid Fire Presentations

  • 2D - Wider Voices, Bigger Change - Mixed Presentation Types (Rapid Fire and Conversation Starters)

  • 2E - Workshop 2 - What does effective preventive mental health look like in primary schools - and what will it take to scale it? - Details available on Workshops Page

    • Registration for workshops is free but mandatory - It is open to all face-to-face delegates.

 

Detailed overviews on concurrent session content are available through the "Detailed Program" button above.

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12.30pm - 1.30pm - Lunch & Exhibition

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Concurrent Session 3 - Abstracts presentations (long oral)) & Workshop

1.30pm to 3.00pm​​

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  • 3A - Partnerships in Action: Designing Better Outcomes

  • 3B - Supporting the Next Generation: Effective Program Approaches

  • 3C - Linking Systems, Unlocking Potential

  • 3D - Building Capacity, Bridging Gaps

  • 3E - Workshop 3 - Together for Wellbeing: Co-Designing Mental Health Promotion Across Diverse Communities - Details available on Workshops Page

    • Registration for workshops is free but mandatory - It is open to all face-to-face delegates.

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Detailed overviews on concurrent session content are available through the "Detailed Program" button above.

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3.00pm - 3.30pm - Afternoon Tea & Exhibition

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Closing Plenary - Working and learning together to promote a shared vision

3.30pm to 5.00pm​​​

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Session Chair: Prof. Rosemary Calder

Panellists:​​​ ​

  • Mr David McGrath, CEO, National Mental Health Commission

  • Dr. Peggy Brown AO, Chair, Mental Health Australia

  • Ms Monica Kelly, State Wellbeing Promotion Adviser and Executive Director, Victorian Department of Health

  • Ms Julia Knapton, Deputy Commissioner System Development Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs, Western Australia Mental Health Commission

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  • Conference Close - Adj/Prof. Terry Slevin, CEO, PHAA​​

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