Head of Programs

Dr Luke Martin is a co-founder of Prevention United and Head of Programs. Luke is a Clinical Psychologist who helps people to stay well and get the most out of life. He has extensive experience designing large-scale mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiatives for organisations such as Beyond Blue, the Australian Psychological Society and RMIT University. Luke has worked clinically with children, young people and families and understands the impact of early life experiences on mental health.

Luke also has a strong interest in mental health communications. To share the knowledge of psychology with the public, Luke has previously acted as a media spokesperson, advice columnist, workshop facilitator, freelance writer, and video presenter.

Board

Chairperson

Pat O’Leary BA, MPubPol&Mgt, Grad Dip Sport Bus, is a mental health operations and service development professional with over three decades experience in the primary and specialist mental health sectors. Pat is currently the Deputy CEO at the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS).

Pat has previously worked extensively in service development roles beginning in the 1990’s with the decommissioning and rebuilding of the Victorian Mental Health Service System; for five years on building the National headspace network including the commissioning of over 60 centres; and most recently with Beyond Blue on the National rollout of ‘The Way Back’, an aftercare service for people who have attempted suicide.

Operationally, Pat has previously managed the Child and Youth Mental Health Service at Austin Health, the Community Mental Health Service at the RCH. Pat also had significant early career experience in the Youth Justice and Homeless service systems, and for three years managed the Community Infrastructure Unit at Sport and Recreation Victoria.

Pat understands the impact that mental health conditions have on people’s lives, and can see the enormous potential that effective prevention strategies can have on reducing distress and hardship. He looks forward to contributing to the Prevention United mission.

Directors

Dr Lachlan Kent BSc, BSocSc(Hons), PhD(Psych) is a co-founder of Prevention United and a mental health professional and researcher with expertise in depression, hopelessness, and suicide prevention. He has worked in a variety of health settings including promotion, prevention and evaluation roles (Australian Psychological Society and Beyond Blue), and direct psychosocial disability support to individuals living in the community with severe mental health conditions (Neami National).

Lachlan’s PhD research looks at how depression affects the perception of time, and vice versa. His research also explores how the emerging study of consciousness can contribute to a better understanding of mental health, and he hopes Prevention United will be able to take advantage of these advancements as science redefines what it means to be human.

Mrs Carolyn Nikoloski BPsycSci (Hons), MPH, MPubPol&Mgt, is a mental health policy specialist, who is committed to improving mental health and reducing social disadvantage.

Carolyn has extensive experience working across government and non-government organisations, including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Australian General Practice Network, Beyond Blue and Good Shepherd Microfinance. Carolyn led Beyond Blue’s policy reform agenda, which influenced the establishment of low intensity mental health services across the country, and the routine provision of follow-up care for people who have attempted suicide.

Carolyn hopes Prevention United will shift the environments that we live in, to better promote mental health and prevent mental health conditions.

Devin O’Keefe BCom; Corp.Fin, Fin.P & S.C.M. CertIV Fin is a financial services professional with a passion for improving mental health conditions within the community. He has worked in roles from private wealth management, through to fund-raising for boutique ethical investment opportunities. He has worked with not-for-profits his whole career, provided pro-bono financial services to terminally ill cancer patients and currently works with an ethical investment group which is seeking to provide better cancer and diabetic treatments for sufferers.

Devin will be utilising his financial service skills to help improve and grow the organisation’s financial position and brand power to ensure that we can continue to expand our reach and output. Having seen the impacts of negative mental health conditions first-hand, Devin wants to ensure that through the mission of Prevention United that we continue to assist those in need and help reduce their suffering and difficulties. He is grateful and excited to be on this journey with Prevention United and the rest of the Board.