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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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A downloadable and printable PDF program will be made available a few days before the Conference.

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

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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:​​​ 

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

  • 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

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 - Details and registration link to come

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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

Keynote Speakers:​​​ ​

  • Keynote 1 - To be announced

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

  • Dr. Sarthak Gandhi, Board Youth Advisor, headspace

Those keynote presentations will be followed by a panel discussion. 

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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 - Details and registration link to come

 

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 - Details and registration link to come

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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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