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, and Ms. Helen Jeong, Volunteer Coordinator - Reach Out Presenters include:​ - Em Howells, Youth Advisory Group member - Prevention United - Binusha Pathirana, Youth Advisory Group member - Prevention United - Jasmine Toronis, Youth Advisory Group member - Prevention United - William Cook, Youth Advocate - ReachOut - Maddie Doudney, Youth Advocate - ReachOut - Georgia Evans, Youth Advocate - ReachOut - Tessa Mithieux, Senior Manager of Media and Government Relations, ReachOut 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, Youth Advisory Group 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. Strengthened Prevention Awareness and Access: Increase general awareness of preventative mental health strategies and the existing support systems and interventions available to young people. 2. Generational Collaboration for Future Goals: Facilitate ongoing collaboration between young people and professionals to jointly define and set goals for protecting the mental health and well-being of future generations. 3. Future-Focused Advocacy and Youth Voice: Inspire and develop new advocacy initiatives led by youth voice in preventative mental health, ensuring they adapt to contemporary societal challenges like AI, evolving school systems, and social media. 4. Enhanced School-Based Recognition and Referral: Improve communication and collaboration with schools to ensure both staff and students can effectively recognize signs of poor mental health and are fully aware of available help and resources. 5. Sustained Stakeholder Partnership: Establish a continuous, collaborative relationship with key stakeholders, particularly young people, to inform and shape the mental health sector's work. ​Structure 1. Storytelling 2. Interactive activites (small and large groups) 3. Q&A

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Speaker