Dr Lyn O’Grady, Community Psychologist

Lyn is a Community Psychologist with a particular interest in the mental health of children, young people and families. She has previously worked with parents in the community sector, as a school psychologist and as a manager of the KidsMatter Project for the Australian Psychological Society. She currently works in private practice with children, young people and families and is a registered supervisor of psychology interns. Lyn is also interested in suicidology and regularly conducts workshops and training in this area for mental health professionals. She is also the author of a book for parents of teenagers who are suicidal.

Dr Josephine Anderson, Consultant Psychiatrist, Black Dog Institute

Conjoint Associate Professor Josephine Anderson is a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist. Although her work is primarily clinical she has a keen interest in service development, with a focus on innovative models of care and service integration, including those embracing partnerships with GPs, Education and NGO care providers. Dr Anderson’s expertise in clinical service design and development has been sought by senior administrators in public mental health, NGOs, the NSW Mental Health Commission and in cases before Civil, Family and Coroner’s Courts. Her most recent appointment is Clinical Director at Royal Far West Centre (for rural and remote children and their families).

Troy Barath, Principal, Deception Bay North State School

Troy has been working in low socio economic and complex schools in Queensland for the past 20 years. He began his career as a Special Education teacher and is currently the Principal of Deception Bay North State School. He is passionate about creating welcoming and inclusive educational environments, supporting students and families with complex needs and building educational communities. Troy was the Queensland representative for the Equity and Diversity Advisory Group for the Australian Curriculum and presented at the ANZMH International Conference in 2018 on ‘The Role of The School in Supporting Students with Mental Health.

Dr Samantha Batchelor, Senior Researcher, yourtown

Dr Samantha Batchelor is a Senior Researcher at yourtown, providers of Kids Helpline. She leads research, evaluation and advocacy projects that contribute to development of yourtown services and give voice to young people. Sam has 15 years’ experience in applied research and is passionate about enhancing services and promoting social justice outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and families. Sam holds a BA with 1^st Class Honours in Psychology from Sydney University and a PhD from Griffith University. Her PhD research investigated the relationship between parent involvement in education and the academic achievement of children in a disadvantaged community.

Debbie Childs, Chief Executive Officer, helpingminds

Debbie is CEO and Company Secretary of HelpingMinds, a West Australian based Mental Health and Carer Support organisation. In this role Debbie leads a team of 100 (and growing) to deliver quality support services to families touched by mental ill health.

Prior to taking on this role Debbie was General Manager Broadcasting at Sky Television in Auckland, New Zealand. Having enjoyed over 25 years in the television industry Debbie made the decision to move into the ‘not for profit’ when her family returned to Perth in 2013.

With experience as a mental health carer Debbie is a passionate advocate in the sector, determined to find innovative ways to breakdown barriers of discrimination around mental ill health for our future generations.

Debbie is a Board Director for the West Australian Association for Mental Health

Kathy Eadie, State-wide Senior Service Evaluation and Research Coordinator, Children’s Health Qld, Child & Youth Mental Health Service

Kathy Eadie is a registered psychologist with an extensive research background. Kathy has worked on research projects over the past 25 years in several different settings including government, non-government, the university sector and private hospitals. Throughout this period, Kathy has worked in mental illness, chronic disease, disability, domestic violence, substance abuse, childhood trauma and out of home care. Kathy has produced several papers for peer reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Jacinta Heath, Senior Project Officer Suicide Prevention, Everymind

Jacinta Heath is a Senior Project Officer at the national suicide prevention institute, Everymind. She has a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of International Public Health from Sydney University. Jacinta has a particular interest in strengthening the link between research, policy and practice in mental health and suicide prevention and postvention. She is also passionate about working with children and families and has experience across hospital, education and community settings in early childcare, perinatal mental health and child and adolescent mental health.

Dr Liza Hopkins, Research Officer, headspace Youth Early Psychosis Program

Liza Hopkins is an Evaluation and research Development Officer with headspace Early Psychosis in Southeast Melbourne. She has over twenty years experience of developing and conducting research and evaluation projects across a range of fields including youth, health, mental health, education, communications and social inclusion. She is currently working closely with Discovery College Australia, and has a strong interest in Recovery focus in youth mental health.

Nicola Palfrey, Director, Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN)

Nicola is a Clinical Psychologist and researcher who has worked extensively with children, adolescents and adults who have experienced adversity and trauma. She is Director of ACATLGN at the ANU, and is responsible for developing and delivering resources, training and interventions based on the latest evidence base to support individuals and families affected by adversity and trauma. Nicola is also the ANU Project Lead for Emerging Minds: The National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health, an initiative to support workforces identify, assess and support children under 12 years who are at risk of experiencing mental illness.