Tuesday, March 24, 2026

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Jarrah Room

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Overview

Space limited! Registration free but mandatory - Only available to face-to-face conference delegates

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Details

Hosted by: Prevention United ​ Facilitated by: ​Ms. Hong Hanh (Hani) Nguyen, Community Engagement Lead - Prevention United & Tessa Mithieux, Senior Manager of Media and Government Relations, ReachOut Presenters include:​ - Em Howells, Youth Ambassador, Prevention United - Binusha Pathirana, Youth Ambassador, Prevention United - Jasmine Toronis, Youth Ambassador, Prevention United - Maddie Doudney, Youth Advocate, Reach Out - Georgia Evans, Youth Advocate, Reach Out Overview This youth-led session brings lived experience and practical insight to the forefront of preventive mental health. Through storytelling, interactive activities, and an open Q&A, Prevention United's Youth Ambassadors' Group and Reach Out's Youth Advocates members share what helps and what gets in the way of early support for young people in schools, communities, and digital environments. Participants will explore future-focused advocacy grounded in real experiences, including the impacts of AI, social media, and educational transitions. The session invites leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders to collaborate with young people toward stronger prevention awareness, responsive school systems, and sustained partnership in shaping the future of mental wellbeing in Australia.    Target Audience - Leaders and decision-makers in State/Territory and Federal mental health commissions and Health departments and statutory bodies  - Advocates and people with lived and living experience of mental ill-health and carers Learning Outcomes 1. Develop a shared foundation for meaningful and authentic youth participation by identifying and addressing systemic barriers to youth engagement in mental health prevention spaces. 2. Identify how participants can use their specific roles to share power with young people and include them in decision-making.  3. Co-create practical and coordinated commitments to strengthen youth-led approaches across sectors and settings. ​Structure 1. Storytelling 2. Interactive activites (small and large groups) 3. Q&A

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Speaker