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Reducing suicide and improving mental health via collaboration, cultural safety and community-led solutions

  • 25 - 28 March 2025
  • Pullman On The Park- Melbourne / Naarm
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300+

Attendees

43

Sessions

40+

Speakers

2

Streams

Event overview

Australia continues to face significant mental health challenges, with suicide remaining a leading cause of death among young people and disproportionately impacting First Nations communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, men and rural populations.

Recent data reveals that in 2023, suicide rates accounted for approximately 3,200 deaths nationwide, with rural and remote areas experiencing rates up to two times higher than metropolitan regions. These figures highlight the urgent need for innovative, inclusive, and culturally safe strategies.

In response, the 8th Social and Emotional Wellbeing Forum brings together national leaders, including chief psychiatrists, mental health commissioners, community advocates, lived experience workers and Indigenous corporations to tackle these pressing challenges. The forum will focus on building resilience, fostering unity, and implementing community-led, culturally responsive solutions. Attendees will explore evidence-based frameworks, strengths-based approaches, early intervention, prevention and postvention strategies to create impactful and sustainable mental health outcomes.

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Attend this Forum and learn how to
Attend this Forum and learn how to

Attend this Forum and learn how to:

Overcome accessibility barriers to improve clients’ social and emotional wellbeing

Build strategies to engage effectively with marginalised and vulnerable members of society to reduce suicide rates

Ensure culturally competent practices to enable holistic healing services for First Nations people

Drive innovation and build trust by co-designing service delivery models

Create agile early intervention, prevention and postvention programs through community collaboration

Collate, manage and share data efficiently and effectively to secure funding and communicate across organisations

Hear from 50+ thought leaders, including:

Associate Professor Sophie Adams
Chief Psychiatrist of Victoria
Andrea Kelly
Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner
Department of Health and Aged Care
Alison Asche
Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Senior Lead
Eastern Melbourne PHN
David Edwards
David Edwards
Co-Director
Ivan Frkovic
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner
Queensland Government
Aunty Sheryl Batchelor
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Jeremy Nikora
Founder
Kairahi Cultural Collective
Jacob Leo Skilling
Chief Executive Officer
The Broken Movement Trust NZ
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Advisory Committee

Liz Asser
In-service Training Officer
Lived Experience Australia
Debbie Haynes
Aboriginal Clinical Psychologist
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Kate Towart
Psychologist / SEWB Counsellor
Deakin University
Seaun Stanley
BMDAN Manager
Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation Health Services
Chad Ritchie
Principal Advisor Aboriginal Service Design
Service NSW
Jenny Ockwell
Chief Executive Officer
The Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-operative Ltd (DDACL)

Testimonials

An excellent conference I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the country, that have a passion for the Social and Emotional Wellbeing of First Nations people. A powerful and beautiful group of people.


Rhea Brock
Wellbeing Coach/Project Manager
Momentum Mental Health

Fantastic opportunity to hear about the incredible work going on to improve Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.


Dani Linossier
Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and AOD Reform Manager
Northern Territory PHN/span>

I feel very grateful to have spent the week at the 7th National Social and Emotional Wellbeing Forum themed ‘Fostering resilience and providing holistic pathways to wellbeing for First Nations people.


Ally Kelly
Founder and CEO
Mind Blank

Partners

Exhibitor

Supporting partners

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About the Artwork

Title: Social and Emotional Wellbeing

Artist: Gilimbaa

This elements is centered around coming together to build strenght and share knowledge to enable the healing process. Acknowledged with in the element is the possible trauma, addiction and dark moments in an individual’s life ( past and present). Through representing  the individual’s journey to healing, they are surrounded and supported by family,friends and community members.

The background elements illustrate the continous flow of open and honest conservations that help build our understanding of the individuals needs and break down the stigma attached to mental health.

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