MINDFRAME - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at ReachOut
Ashley de Silva was appointed as CEO of ReachOut Australia, the most accessed online mental health service for young people and their parents in Australia, in September 2018.
He has worked in community, public and private sectors in strategy, operations and communications roles. Previously, he was Deputy CEO of ReachOut and Head of Strategy and Marketing at the Biennale of Sydney.
Ashley is passionate about using technology to help young people be well, and stay well. He is a Board Director for Mental Health Australia and a member of the Global Leadership Council for the eMental Health International Collaborative. He is also Co-Chair of Telstra's Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable - a long-running alliance of 40+ organisations from across the corporate, not-for-profit, government and academic sectors that provides a space to share knowledge, build relationships and find opportunities for collaboration.
Ashley holds an Executive MBA from the AGSM (Sydney), and Marketing and Management degrees from Monash University (Melbourne).
Job Titles:
- Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Roses in the Ocean
A passionate advocate and driver for change in the suicide prevention field since losing her brother Mark to suicide in 2008, Bronwen is the founding CEO of ‘Roses in the Ocean', a lead organisation for lived experience of suicide. Contributing to best practice and a growing evidence base, Roses in the Ocean collaborates with individuals and organisations across community, corporate, health and government sectors to effectively and meaningfully engage lived experience expertise and support lived experience informed practice.
Bronwen has been a key advocate for the inclusion of lived experience in all aspects of suicide prevention since 2011, passionately driving the uptake of non-clinical alternatives to the mental health system, greater support for families and carers, lived experience led co-design, and the emerging specialised Suicide Prevention Peer Workforce.
She holds positions on a wide range of state and national advisory committees including the Co-Chair of the International Association Suicide Prevention - Special Interest Group: Lived Experience; Member - Interim Queensland Suicide Prevention Network (iQSPN); Expert Advisory Group - National Safe Spaces Network; Member - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Clinical Advisory Group; BeyondBlue National Advisory Committee ‘The Way Back Support Service and the Black Dog Institute - National Suicide Prevention Advisory Committee.
Bronwen has extensive experience in community grassroots lived experience capacity, building facilitation and consultation, mentoring and peer warm line support. She is passionate about supporting government through lived experience expertise to implement a whole of government approach to suicide prevention, and the sector and mainstream health services to provide lived experience informed suicide prevention services and initiatives.
Topics
Mental ill-health
Stigma
Suicide
Suicide prevention
Industries
Lived experience
Government
Demographics
Men
Women
Families
Professor Colleen Loo, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney and Professorial Fellow, Black Dog Institute, is a psychiatrist and clinical academic based at the Black Dog Institute. She is also Medical Director of Neurostimulation and Interventional Psychiatry at Northside St Leonards Ramsay Hospital.
Professor Loo is an active clinician and researcher, with a particular interest in novel non-invasive brain stimulation techniques that offer exciting new potential to probe the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, as well as possible new avenues for treating psychiatric disorders. She established the first randomised controlled trials of TMS, tDCS and ketamine in psychiatry in Australia.
Her research aims to improve treatment approaches in ECT, this includes: developing ultrabrief pulse width ECT, a new form of ECT with minimal cognitive effects; exploring and developing novel brain stimulation treatments (e.g. tDCS, TMS) for depression, including depression in bipolar disorder; testing ketamine as a new, rapid-acting treatment for depression; and, testing the cognitive enhancing effects of brain stimulation.
Professor Loo is an international expert at novel non-invasive brain stimulation techniques such as TMS, ketamine, ECT
Qualifications
Psychiatrist and clinical academic
Job Titles:
- Head of Evidence and Innovation at Alcohol and Drug Foundation
Topics: Adverse events, COVID-19, Alcohol and other drugs, Alcohol and drug related harm, Cannabis, Drug use and mental ill-health, Methamphetamine (ICE), Opiates, Pharmacotherapy, Mental ill-health, Prevention, Stigma, Policy, Suicide, Suicide prevention
Craig has over 17 years of clinical, leadership and management experience in drug and alcohol and mental health promotion, prevention, early intervention and treatment services.
He has worked across academic, government, not-for-profit and commercial sectors.
Craig has extensive clinical and management experience and expertise in mental health and AOD, the synthesis of research, knowledge management, program design through co-design methodologies, implementation and evaluation of innovative, evidence-based policy, guidelines and digital and non-digital programs.
Qualifications
BASc
BN
Grad Dip MH
MN (Clinical Leadership)
Job Titles:
- Director and Professor of Rural Health Research at the University of Newcastle 's Centre for Rural
Professor David Perkins is the Director and Professor of Rural Health Research at the University of Newcastle's Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health and coordinator of the Orange Declaration on Rural Mental Health. Based in Orange (NSW) David has extensive research experience in Mental Health Services, Rural Suicide Prevention, Public Health, Rural Health and Primary Health Care.
Professor Perkins's career spans senior management and health service research roles in both the UK and Australia. David has been awarded more than $22 million in grant income since 2016, and has published in a variety of journals including Medical Journal of Australia, BMC Health Services Research, the International Journal of Integrated Care, Aging and Mental Health, BMC Psychiatry and the Australian Journal of Rural Health.
David was previously Editor in Chief of the Australian Journal of Rural Health.
Qualifications
PhD Social Policy and Administration (Health Services), University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, 1983
Job Titles:
- Scientia Associate Professor at Black Dog Institute
Aliza Werner-Seidler is an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow and Clinical Psychologist at the Black Dog Institute, UNSW.
Her research interests include the prevention and treatment of depression and anxiety with a focus on adolescents and young adults, the cognitive mechanisms that underlie common mental disorders, the use of digital approaches to improve the reach and uptake of psychological interventions, and the role of poor sleep in mental illness. She also leads a program of research which investigates ways to facilitate the implementation of evidence based mental health programs within the school system.
Associate Prof. Werner-Seidler is currently co-leading the Future Proofing Study - the largest digital depression prevention trial looking at how mental health apps can be used by school students to prevent the onset of mental illness. She completed her PhD at UNSW in 2012 and post-doctoral training at Cambridge University until 2014. She then commenced her role at the Black Dog Institute.
Qualifications
B.Psych (Hons 1), Psychology - Science
M.Psych(Clin)PhD, Clinical Psychology
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at Alcohol and Drug Foundation
- Chief Executive Officer of the Alcohol
- Member of the Order of Australia
Dr Lalor was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation in 2017.
Erin has over 20 years of leadership experience in the health sector, working in clinical, academic and executive roles, and was previously CEO of the National Stroke Foundation.
She sits on a number of advisory committees in relation to public health, clinical improvements and evidence-based approaches to healthcare delivery.
Erin has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech and Hearing Science) and completed her PhD in 1997.
Qualifications
BAppSci (Hons) (Speech and Hearing)
GCCM
PhD
Erin was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 for significant service to community health through not-for-profit organisations.
Job Titles:
- Research Leader and Senior Research Fellow at Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health
- Research Leader and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle 's Centre for Rural
Dr Hazel Dalton is Research Leader and Senior Research Fellow at the University of Newcastle's Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health (CRRMH) in Orange NSW. Hazel leads a team of five researchers and manages research across mental health promotion (including the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program and collaborative approaches to community wellbeing), innovation in mental health service provision (including integrated care) and rural suicide prevention.
Hazel has played a key role in the creation of the International Foundation for Integrated Care Australia to advance integrated care in Australia (2016-2021). Some of Hazel's recent work includes a revision of our understanding of rural adversity, the Orange Declaration on rural and remote mental health and working with industries on workplace mental health and wellbeing.
Dr Dalton is interested in translational research, communication of research more broadly and providing evidence to support programs and inform policy. Hazel has extensive research experience across university and health sectors, with skills in conceptual modelling, quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
Qualifications
PhD, BSc (Hons Class I)
Job Titles:
- Program Manager at Everymind
Dr Sally Fitzpatrick is a Program Manager at Everymind. She is also a Clinical Psychologist and researcher who is passionate about the prevention of mental ill-health and suicide, as well as the promotion of wellbeing for all Australians. Dr Fitzpatrick's program and research work is focused on understanding the factors that contribute to mental health and wellbeing, and the translation of this knowledge into evidence-based programs for dissemination in local communities. She is committed to working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve a high level of program delivery.
Dr Fitzpatrick is a registered psychologist (with Clinical Psychology endorsement) and holds conjoint positions with The University of Newcastle and Macquarie University. She has a track record of securing competitive grants, including with Australian Rotary Health, Suicide Prevention Australia, and Movember. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, presented her research at national and international conferences, and is an affiliate investigator on several large research projects. Dr Fitzpatrick currently supervises three PhD students at Everymind and was awarded the 2020 Newcastle Permanent Research Mentor of the Year - provided by the Hunter Children's Research Foundation Community Acknowledgement of Research Excellence (CARE). Dr Fitzpatrick has combined her research with clinical work since 2008 and is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society.
Job Titles:
- Senior Research Fellow at Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention ( AISRAP )
- Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
Dr Victoria Ross is a senior research fellow at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP). Her key research areas are workplace mental health and suicide prevention, suicide bereavement support, and suicide prevention program evaluation. Her research has an applied focus and she has worked collaboratively on a range of projects with government and industry/sector groups, including the Lifeline Foundation, Gold Coast University Hospital, Mates in Construction, Richmond Fellowship Queensland, TrackSAFE Foundation, and Energy Queensland. She is the chief investigator on the National Health and Medical Research Council-funded project, Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings in the Australian Context, part of an international collaboration that will trial a workplace mental health intervention across eight countries.
Qualifications
PhD Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
BA Honours (Psychology), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Job Titles:
- Clinical Operations Manager at the Buttery
Topics: Alcohol and other drugs, Alcohol and drug related harm, Drug use and mental ill-health, Mental ill-health, Depression and/or anxiety, Suicide, Suicide prevention research
Frances Pidcock is the Clinical Operations Manager at The Buttery and a member of The Buttery's Clinical Governance Committee. Frances has a background in Nursing and Psychology at Masters Level. Prior to joining The Buttery in 2016, Frances was a Clinical Nurse Specialist with QLD and NSW Health. She specialised in mental health acute care and youth and family also providing clinical supervision to students and graduates. At The Buttery Frances enjoys collaborating with staff and stakeholders to meet the needs of the community.
Qualifications
BSc (Psychology)
BN
MMHN
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at Beyond Blue
Topics: Adverse events, COVID-19, Alcohol and other drugs, Mental health and wellbeing, Mental ill-health, Depression and/or anxiety, Prevention, Stigma, Policy, Suicide, Intervention, Suicide prevention, Support and help-seeking, Support
Georgie has broad-ranging leadership, policy and service delivery experience in the community, public and private sectors. Appointed CEO of Beyond Blue in May 2014, Georgie has led significant changes in service innovation, suicide prevention and digital solutions.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director at TrackSAFE Foundation
A leader of impactful social campaigns and business initiatives that deliver measurable change.
A deep understanding of community governance, environmental and social expectations and what is needed for continuing improvement.
Extensive experience of issues management, public policy, regulation, reform and managing complex organisations in the area of social change.
Job Titles:
- Senior Lecturer at Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention ( AISRAP )
Jacinta has worked at AISRAP since 2000, firstly as a Senior Research Assistant and since 2004 in a lecturing role in suicidology. In 2001-2002, Jacinta was involved in the development of the Graduate Certificate in Suicidology and Master of Suicidology Programs, the first of their kind in the world. Further, since 2000, Jacinta has developed, delivered and evaluated suicide prevention training for the suicide prevention sector in Australia. Jacinta has specialist education, clinical and research interest in suicide risk assessment processes, personal suicide stigma, and the impacts of suicide on the worker.
Jacinta is the lead author of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality (STARS) protocol published first in 2015 and updated in 2018. She is the Co-ordinator of STARS training workshops delivered nationally and internationally to a range of allied health, health, emergency, welfare, and community workers. She has worked clinically with suicidal people for 20 years and has supervised other psychologists in this domain for over a decade.
Jacinta provides expert advice and guidance on suicide risk assessment to state and national government departments and private organisations nationally. Jacinta has worked on numerous research projects and consultancies in the suicide prevention sector pertaining mostly to suicide prevention training evaluation including lived experience suicide prevention training, but also personal suicide stigma and impacts of suicide on the worker. She is a member of several national and international advisory boards regarding suicide prevention and has a reviewing role for peer-reviewed journals in this domain. She has presented research findings at a range of state, national and international conferences has co-authored and edited a book, book chapters, and numerous peer-reviewed articles and government reports in the field.
Qualifications
Master of Clinical Psychology, Griffith University, Australia
Bachelor of Psychology (Hons), Griffith University, Australia
Bachelor of Psychology, Griffith University, Australia
Bachelor of Social Sciences, Queensland University of technology, Brisbane, Australia
Topics
Suicide
Suicide prevention research
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at PANDA
Topics: Alcohol and other drugs, Mental health and wellbeing, Mental ill-health, Populations, Parenting
Job Titles:
- Chairman at R U OK? Think Tank
Kamal Sarma is a former monk and now is the CEO of Rezilium and the Chair of R U OK? Conversations Think Tank.
Kamal has held executive roles in organisations such as McKinsey & Company, Eli Lilly, StGeorge Bank and AMP Capital Investors. He is an experienced speaker, trainer and the author of three books: The international bestseller Mental Resilience: The Power of Clarity - How to develop the focus of a warrior and the peace of a monk. THE LEADERSHIP LEAP- (Un)Learning how to lead, as featured on Google talks. His most recent book is WinWin Conversations: The Art and Science of Human Connection.
Kamal has co-founded two venture capital businesses in the IT and biotech sectors and is currently is a Chair of R U OK? Conversations Think Tank. He is also co-founder of Not-for-Profit initiative Captivate the Future that builds resilience, self-esteem and confidence in high school students through public speaking.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Economics (Hons), University of Sydney
Masters of Business Administration, Australian Graduate School of Management
Job Titles:
- RAMHP Coordinator at Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
Kate is a Coordinator for the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program based in Tamworth, North West NSW, and covering areas of the Hunter New England Local Health District.
She has been in the Rural Adversity role for over 10 years and has seen the program evolve and change. One of the biggest changes was the movement of the program from a drought focus to a broader inclusion of adversity and a widening of target groups from farmers and farming families towards working with rural and remote communities as a whole.
The role of Rural Adversity Mental Health Coordinator has allowed Kate to combine her interests of promoting health and wellbeing and working directly with people to enable and support change. Kate finds it satisfying to be able to provide communities and individuals with new knowledge, to listen and engage with them and to witness daily, the absolute resilience of rural Australians.
Having worked in the area of Population Health and Health Promotion for over 20 years, Kate has been exposed to a variety of programs, target groups and content areas. These range from such areas as alcohol related crime to bowel cancer screening and oral health of refugee populations.
Target groups include police, health workers, volunteers and farming families. Coupled with this practical experience, Kate completed a Social Work degree which has given her the skills to identify, empathise and guide people dealing with issues that are impacting on their mental health.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Social Work
Accredited Mental Health First Aid facilitator
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at R U OK?
Katherine Newton's commitment to prevention efforts spans 10 years having trained as a volunteer Lifeline telephone counsellor prior to transitioning to the sector professionally. Her not-for-profit experience includes a senior leadership role with White Ribbon, working to prevent men's violence against women.
She can speak to suicide prevention, peer-to-peer support, and early intervention.
Job Titles:
- Communications Specialist
Job Titles:
- Media and Public Relations Manager
Job Titles:
- Director Suicide Prevention at LivingWorks
Marc Bryant has over 20 years' experience in media relations and health communications, and 13 years' experience in the suicide prevention sector. As Director of Suicide Prevention and a qualified safeTALK and ASIST trainer, Marc leads LivingWorks' government relations and project design in Australia working closely with workplace, government, community, education and mental health sectors to understand their training needs and support effective implementation and evaluation of training in their community.
Prior to joining LivingWorks, Marc managed suicide prevention programs at Everymind.
Marc is dedicated to upskilling local community members and all touchpoints in suicide prevention training to keep people safe during their toughest moments.
Qualifications
Job Titles:
- Health Program ( RAMHP ) Coordinator
- Program Coordinator at Rural Adversity Mental Health Program
Topics: Mental ill-health, Depression and/or anxiety, Support and help-seeking, Support
Matthew Milne is a Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Coordinator working in the Hunter Region of NSW. He graduated from the University of Newcastle in 2012 with a Bachelor of Psychology whereupon he relocated to Tamworth.
Matthew completed his internship working as a rural psychologist, providing psychological interventions both in the office and on the road. Matthew has travelled far and wide across the New England North West providing rural towns and communities with psychological services they would not have been able to access otherwise.
Matthew continues his work in rural communities by providing mental health support, training and information as well as connecting people in need to services that are both appropriate and local to them. He also volunteers for his local RFS brigade.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Psychology
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at LGBTIQ Health Australia
Topics: Alcohol and other drugs, Alcohol and drug related harm, Drug use and mental ill-health, Policy, Self-harm
Nicky Bath joined LGBTIQ+ Health Australia in August 2018 as Chief Executive Officer and brings with her experience she gained from roles such as the Associate Director, LGBTI Health Programming and Development at ACON, Manager of the Harm Reduction and Viral Hepatitis Branch at the NSW Ministry of Health as well as several senior positions in State and National drug user organisations including CEO of the NSW Users and AIDS Association.
Prior to moving to Australia in 2000, Nicky worked as the Manager of an innovative harm reduction service which was part of the National Health Service in London. During this time she was also involved in international work including projects commissioned by the World Health Organisation.
Nicky is committed to advancing the health and human rights of marginalised communities through co-design and working in partnership.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer at Suicide Prevention Australia
- Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Nieves Murray commenced as CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia in 2018.
She spent a decade leading the IRT group, one of Australia's largest community-owned seniors' lifestyle and care providers, driving record growth and customer satisfaction. Since 2001, Nieves has also held non-executive leadership positions across a range of sectors including health, retail, financial services, and tertiary education.
In 2013, Nieves was named one of Australia's 100 Most Influential Women by the Australian Financial Review.
Nieves is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Fellow at the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders. She is also currently the Independent Chair of Family Spirit, a joint start-up venture in Sydney, and a Member of the University of Wollongong Council.
Professor Pat Dudgeon was born and raised in Darwin and her tribal affiliation is with the Bardi people.
She was the first Indigenous Australian to graduate with a psychology degree, and is currently the Director of the University of Western Australia's Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention (CBPATSISP), funded under the Commonwealth Government's National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program. She is also a Chief Investigator on an NHMRC Million Minds Mission Grant investigating Indigenous mental health.
Professor Dudgeon led the highly influential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP). The 2016 ATSISPEP report Solutions That Work: What the Evidence and Our People Tell Us, systematically documented for the first time the role of colonisation and trauma in Indigenous suicide, and the central role of Indigenous-led cultural responses in suicide prevention. This work remains the key text in Indigenous suicide prevention and policy.
Professor Dudgeon has published extensively in Indigenous mental health, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. She is a board member of Indigenous Australian Psychologists Association and Fellow in the Australian Psychological Society. She is a former Commissioner of the Australian National Mental Health Commission, completing her five-year term in July 2017, and is Deputy Chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association and a Board Member of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.
Professor Dudgeon is actively involved with the Aboriginal community and has a strong commitment to social justice. She always works in ways that empower and develop Indigenous people.
Pat has spoken frequently with the ABC, Croakey and other outlets that report in a serious, empowering way on Indigenous issues.
Qualifications
BAppSc. GDip (Psych). PhD. FAPS.
Job Titles:
- Senior Academic Psychiatrist
Prof Samuel Harvey is a Senior Academic Psychiatrist and leads the Workplace Mental Health Research Program at the Black Dog Institute and University of New South Wales. After initially working as a general practitioner, Prof Harvey trained in psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry in London and completed his PhD with the University of London.
Since relocating to Australia in 2012, Prof Harvey has led a program of research focused on the relationship between work and mental health. His research considers the role work and workplace trauma may have in precipitating mental illness, the occupational outcomes of those already suffering from mental disorders and workplace-based interventions for both the treatment and prevention of mental disorders. He has a particular interest in the role that new technology can play in preventing mental health problems amongst workers.
Qualifications
MBBS
DCH
MRCGP
MRCPsych
FRANZCP
PhD
Shayne Connell has more than 18 years' experience delivering suicide intervention skills training. As CEO and Company Director of LivingWorks and a Registered ASIST and safeTALK Trainer, Shayne supports a network of more than 700 LivingWorks trainers across Australia. Shayne has experience coordinating suicide prevention programs under the initial National Suicide Prevention Strategy with Lifeline and has also coordinated a psychiatric rehabilitation centre based on a peer workforce model.
Prior to joining LivingWorks, Shayne spent more than 10 years in public health promotion and management at Cancer Council NSW, as well as an elected Councillor with the City of Newcastle.
Shayne believes it takes a village to keep someone safe from suicide, which is why he is passionate about educating all Australians in their suicide prevention role and providing them with life-saving skills to support those around them.
Qualifications
MBA, University of Newcastle
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Emeritus Professor
- Professor
Emeritus Professor Susan Spence is a clinical psychologist and recognised international leader in the causes, assessment, treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in youth. She has a BSc (Hons - 1st class, University of Reading, UK), Master of Business Administration (University of Sydney), and a PhD in Clinical Psychology (University of Birmingham, UK). She is currently based in the Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention, and the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University and also holds the position of Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland.
Her previous positions included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Griffith University, Dean, Division of Linguistics and Psychology at Macquarie University, and Head of School of Psychology and Professor at the University of Queensland. Her research focusses on the etiology, assessment, treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression in young people. She has received over $23.5 million in research grants during her career and has managed numerous randomised controlled trials to successful completion. She is the author of 8 books, 38 book chapters and over 150 research articles in refereed journals. Her research is highly influential, with over 20,000 citations, with publications in top international journals in her field.
E/Professor Spence places a strong emphasis on translation of her research into clinical practice, being the author of the internationally used Spence Children's Anxiety Scale and one of the founders of the BraveOnline treatment program. Professor Spence is a member of several editorial boards and is regularly invited to present keynote addresses at international conferences. Her work has been recognised through the awards of Officer of the Order of Australia, Fellowship of the Australian Psychological Society, British Psychological Society; the Academy of the Social Sciences of Australia and the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.
Qualifications
BSc (Hons - 1st class), University of Reading, UK
Master of Business Administration, University of Sydney
PhD in Clinical Psychology, University of Birmingham, UK