The Victorian Wellbeing Promotion Office at the Department of Health, in collaboration with Prevention United, hosted the second Wellbeing Promotion Symposium in November 2024, drawing over 200 attendees from across the sector.
The day was marked by a strong sense of optimism and commitment, with participants excited to share their knowledge and experiences in advancing mental health promotion and prevention. Attendees explored practical ways to collaborate and drive systemic change.
Tim Richardson, MP for Mordialloc and Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Men's Behaviour Change, officially launched the symposium and highlighted the Victorian government's ongoing commitment to mental health promotion and prevention. A standout moment of the event was a 'sneak peek' of the forthcoming Victorian Wellbeing Strategy, which Monica Kelly unveiled.
The enthusiasm and collaboration displayed throughout the day reinforced the shared commitment to improving mental health outcomes for all Victorians.
Below are videos of the key presentations and panel discussions from the event.
Symposium Opening
Tim Richardson MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Men’s Behaviour Change
Welcome and scene setting
Monica Kelly, State Wellbeing Promotion Adviser and Executive Director, Department of Health
First Nations perspectives on wellbeing promotion
Jon Kanoa, Deputy Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor, Department of Health
Panel discussion: Wellbeing Promotion – the journey so far
Monica Kelly, State Wellbeing Promotion Adviser
Sheree Lowe, Executive Director, Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing, Victorian Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health Organisation
Professor Sharon Goldfeld, Director, Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital
Theme Director, Population Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Dr Stephen Carbone, Founder and former CEO, Prevention United
Professor Patrick McGorry, Director, Orygen Youth Health and Orygen Youth Health Research Centre
Launch of the Mental Health Promotion Competency Framework
Maja Havrilova, Head of Knowledge Translation, Prevention United
Panel of Convenors: Summary of group observations and ideas
Suzanne Dick, CEO, Prevention United
