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Program

This program is interactive. You can click on each of the presenter sessions to view the presentation outline and presenter’s biography.

 

The conference sessions will run on AEST – Queensland time.

 

Agenda items highlighted in:

 

Blue will be available in person and online via OnAIR.

Red will be available in person only.

 

All sessions (excluding workshops) will be recorded and made available to delegates in the Resource Centre five business days after the conclusion of the conference.

 

Ready to register?  Click here.

 

To return to the website, click here.

 

Please email the Conference Manager if you have any questions – fmhc@anzmh.asn.au

 

The 2025 Frontline Mental Health Conference reserves the right to amend or alter any advertised details relating to dates, program and speakers if necessary and without notice, as a result of circumstances beyond their control. All attempts will be made to keep any changes to an absolute minimum.

 


Sunday, March 2, 2025

Welcome Event
Tees' Clubhouse
RACV Royal Pines Resort
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.
Welcome Event
Tees' Clubhouse
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.

RACV Royal Pines Resort
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.

Welcome Event
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.

Tees' Clubhouse
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.

RACV Royal Pines Resort
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Welcome Event
Great news – we’re opening registrations early! You are welcome to come and join us to collect your name badge and conference materials, plus have dinner and a drink with new and old friends. This will save you time and give you the chance to meet and greet colleagues before the conference starts on Monday. You’ll be able to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival and a delicious Build Your Own Burger Bar featuring local produce.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch - In-Person Only
Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch Room - In Person Only
Royal Poinciana - In Person Only
Open Topic 1
Chair: Matthew Hill
Workshop One
Workshop Two
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Wellbeing Among Partners of Australian Defence Force Personnel: Key Factors and Implications
Dr Amy Johnson, CQ University 		The Affect Indicates the Injury: An Integrative Approach to Healing Trauma, Moral Injury and Loss
Dominic Hilbrink, St John of God Health Care 		Proactive Mental Health Care: Crafting a Self-Care Plan for Ongoing Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Mabble Munyimani and Elizabeth Kachembere, MM Complete Wellbeing Global
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Hugs@Home- A Psychological First Aid Programme for Families and Friends of First Responders
Michelle O’Toole, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland) 		Workshop One Continued Workshop Two Continued
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors
Chair: Pip Weiland 		Navigating the Lifecycle of First Responders: From Entry to Retirement and Beyond
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce 		Open Topic 2
Chair:
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM Victim-Survivor-Centric, Trauma-Informed (VCTI) Responses to Negative Workplace Behaviours and Psychosocial Hazard Victimisation; a QPS Perspective
Jill Clarke, Queensland Police Service (QPS) 		From Waves to Well-Being a Lifesaver's Journey to National Mental Health Advisor: The Lived Experience
Dr Samantha Fien, CQUniversity 		Transforming Struggle into Strength: A Peer Led Model for Post Traumatic Growth
Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Behind the Front Lines: Strategies to Support the Mental Well-being of Suicide Postvention Coordinators
Dr Annette Beautrais, Suicide Prevention, Health, New Zealand 		Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
James Kolozsi, ADF Veteran and Ben Knowles, Adventure Works Australia 		Evidence-based Training to Upskill Leaders in Initiating Meaningful Conversations That Foster Staff Wellbeing
Dr Aimee Gayed, Black Dog Institute
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Where to Next for First Responder Mental Health? Charting the Future of Disaster Resilience
James Maskey, Fortem Australia 		Navigating the Employee Journey - Cradle to Grave
Zoe Wooldridge and Alex Fox, NSW Ambulance 		Improving the Mental Wellbeing of Regional Frontline Workers. The Case for Collaboration and Interagency Partnerships
Paul McFarlane, Converge
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Our Journey to Keep Peer Support Relevant in the Ever-Changing SLSQ Environment
John Palmer, Surf Life Saving Queensland 		Mental Health of Australian and New Zealand Paramedicine Students: An Unexplored Phenomenon
Dr Buck Reed, Charles Sturt University 		Leaders' Mental Health and Wellbeing: Early insights from DRA's Complete State Model Exploration
Freya Makinson and Michelle Morrison, Disaster Relief Australia
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.
Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch Room - In Person Only
Open Topic 1
Chair: Matthew Hill
Workshop One
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Wellbeing Among Partners of Australian Defence Force Personnel: Key Factors and Implications
Dr Amy Johnson, CQ University 		The Affect Indicates the Injury: An Integrative Approach to Healing Trauma, Moral Injury and Loss
Dominic Hilbrink, St John of God Health Care
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Hugs@Home- A Psychological First Aid Programme for Families and Friends of First Responders
Michelle O’Toole, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland) 		Workshop One Continued
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors
Chair: Pip Weiland 		Navigating the Lifecycle of First Responders: From Entry to Retirement and Beyond
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM Victim-Survivor-Centric, Trauma-Informed (VCTI) Responses to Negative Workplace Behaviours and Psychosocial Hazard Victimisation; a QPS Perspective
Jill Clarke, Queensland Police Service (QPS) 		From Waves to Well-Being a Lifesaver's Journey to National Mental Health Advisor: The Lived Experience
Dr Samantha Fien, CQUniversity
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Behind the Front Lines: Strategies to Support the Mental Well-being of Suicide Postvention Coordinators
Dr Annette Beautrais, Suicide Prevention, Health, New Zealand 		Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
James Kolozsi, ADF Veteran and Ben Knowles, Adventure Works Australia
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Where to Next for First Responder Mental Health? Charting the Future of Disaster Resilience
James Maskey, Fortem Australia 		Navigating the Employee Journey - Cradle to Grave
Zoe Wooldridge and Alex Fox, NSW Ambulance
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Our Journey to Keep Peer Support Relevant in the Ever-Changing SLSQ Environment
John Palmer, Surf Life Saving Queensland 		Mental Health of Australian and New Zealand Paramedicine Students: An Unexplored Phenomenon
Dr Buck Reed, Charles Sturt University
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Royal Poinciana - In Person Only
Workshop Two
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Proactive Mental Health Care: Crafting a Self-Care Plan for Ongoing Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Mabble Munyimani and Elizabeth Kachembere, MM Complete Wellbeing Global
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Workshop Two Continued
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Open Topic 2
Chair:
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM Transforming Struggle into Strength: A Peer Led Model for Post Traumatic Growth
Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Evidence-based Training to Upskill Leaders in Initiating Meaningful Conversations That Foster Staff Wellbeing
Dr Aimee Gayed, Black Dog Institute
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Improving the Mental Wellbeing of Regional Frontline Workers. The Case for Collaboration and Interagency Partnerships
Paul McFarlane, Converge
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Leaders' Mental Health and Wellbeing: Early insights from DRA's Complete State Model Exploration
Freya Makinson and Michelle Morrison, Disaster Relief Australia
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR
Open Topic 1
Chair: Matthew Hill
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Wellbeing Among Partners of Australian Defence Force Personnel: Key Factors and Implications
Dr Amy Johnson, CQ University
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Hugs@Home- A Psychological First Aid Programme for Families and Friends of First Responders
Michelle O’Toole, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ireland)
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors
Chair: Pip Weiland
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM Victim-Survivor-Centric, Trauma-Informed (VCTI) Responses to Negative Workplace Behaviours and Psychosocial Hazard Victimisation; a QPS Perspective
Jill Clarke, Queensland Police Service (QPS)
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Behind the Front Lines: Strategies to Support the Mental Well-being of Suicide Postvention Coordinators
Dr Annette Beautrais, Suicide Prevention, Health, New Zealand
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Where to Next for First Responder Mental Health? Charting the Future of Disaster Resilience
James Maskey, Fortem Australia
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Our Journey to Keep Peer Support Relevant in the Ever-Changing SLSQ Environment
John Palmer, Surf Life Saving Queensland
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Monarch - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Monarch Room - In Person Only
Workshop One
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM The Affect Indicates the Injury: An Integrative Approach to Healing Trauma, Moral Injury and Loss
Dominic Hilbrink, St John of God Health Care
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Workshop One Continued
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Navigating the Lifecycle of First Responders: From Entry to Retirement and Beyond
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM From Waves to Well-Being a Lifesaver's Journey to National Mental Health Advisor: The Lived Experience
Dr Samantha Fien, CQUniversity
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
James Kolozsi, ADF Veteran and Ben Knowles, Adventure Works Australia
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Navigating the Employee Journey - Cradle to Grave
Zoe Wooldridge and Alex Fox, NSW Ambulance
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Mental Health of Australian and New Zealand Paramedicine Students: An Unexplored Phenomenon
Dr Buck Reed, Charles Sturt University
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Monday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Registration and Exhibition Open
Welcome! Come and say hello to the Conference Team and collect your Name Badge!
Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome to Country
8:40 AM - 9:00 AM Official Welcome, Housekeeping and Lived Experience Acknowledgement
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Pan-Shop: Moving Forward with Moral Injury – How Can We Address It?
This panel discussion will bring together leading experts in their fields to discuss the complex challenge of moral injury. We will consider the relationship between psycho-social hazards and moral injury and different ways to address the emotional, intrapersonal, interpersonal and spiritual outcomes associated with it. In an engaging 90-minute ‘pan-shop’ (a panel-workshop) we will explore current and evolving approaches to prevention, early intervention, support and treatment of moral injury. Delegates will be invited to workshop a particular challenge related to moral injury and feed back to the panel for discussion. It promises to be an enlightening and invaluable session to set the tone for the conference.

 

Moderator: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth

Panelist: Janja Bojanic, Allied Health Manager/Psychologist, St John of God Health Care

Panelist: Professor R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Canada

Panelist: Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Panelist: Jesse Winter, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Victoria     
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Morning Tea With Exhibitors
Royal Poinciana - In Person Only
Workshop Two
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Proactive Mental Health Care: Crafting a Self-Care Plan for Ongoing Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Mabble Munyimani and Elizabeth Kachembere, MM Complete Wellbeing Global
11:35 AM - 12:05 PM Workshop Two Continued
12:05 PM - 1:05 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
Open Topic 2
Chair:
1:05 PM - 1:25 PM Transforming Struggle into Strength: A Peer Led Model for Post Traumatic Growth
Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
1:30 PM - 1:50 PM Evidence-based Training to Upskill Leaders in Initiating Meaningful Conversations That Foster Staff Wellbeing
Dr Aimee Gayed, Black Dog Institute
1:55 PM - 2:15 PM Improving the Mental Wellbeing of Regional Frontline Workers. The Case for Collaboration and Interagency Partnerships
Paul McFarlane, Converge
2:20 PM - 2:40 PM Leaders' Mental Health and Wellbeing: Early insights from DRA's Complete State Model Exploration
Freya Makinson and Michelle Morrison, Disaster Relief Australia
2:40 PM - 3:10 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors
Prince Room and Virtual via OnAIR.
Join us for these inspiring Keynote Presentations
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:10 PM - 3:40 PM The Whanaungatanga Programme: A New Approach to First Responder Mental Ill-Health Prevention
Josh Darby, Senior Firefighter/Project Lead, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM MDMA and Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Trauma and Related Concerns Among Frontline Workers
Monica Schweickle, Clinical Psychologist, Monarch Mental Health Group
4:20 PM - 4:50 PM Keynote Presentation
Senior Sergeant Stewart Williams
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Day One Reflection
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Event
You’re invited to join us at our conference networking event, amongst the exhibitors at the conference venue. Join us for an evening of great conversations, live music, local cuisine, drinks, and entertainment. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends, industry peers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch - In-Person Only
Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors #2
Chair: Pip Weiland
Workshop Three
Workshop Four
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Enhancing Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace
Cameron Burgess, MacKillop Family Services 		Practical Self-Compassion for Frontline Workers
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW 		Preparing Frontline Workers for Their Role in Postvention
Tim De Goey, StandBy Support After Suicide
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Melinda McDonald and Alexandra Bryant, Fire and Rescue NSW 		Workshop Three Continued Workshop Four Continued
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Protective Influences and Mediating Factors on the Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers (aka Prevention)
Chair: 		Treating Trauma: Latest Thinking in Therapeutic Approaches and Treatments
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce 		Open Topic #3
Chair: Matthew Hill
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Australian Ambulance: Can It Make a Difference?
Dr Katie Tunks Leach, University of Technology Sydney 		Three Years of Tiered Mental Health Support Through the National Emergency Worker Support Service
Dr Andrew Arena, Black Dog Institute 		Moral Injury & Trauma Support Within Fire Rescue Victoria: Integrating Chaplaincy and Psychological Approaches
Jesse Winter and Nicholas Lay, Fire Rescue Victoria
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Organisational Support and Mental Health in Fire and Emergency Services: Insights from the Whanaungatanga Programme
Professor Grant Schofield and Dr Lisa MacKay, Auckland University of Technology 		Treating Frontline Workers With PTSD: an Update on What Works and What the Future Holds
Professor Samuel Harvey, Black Dog Institute 		Coping in Mental Health Providers Deployed Following Natural Disasters
Julia Evecek, University of New England
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Early Intervention and Leaders: Residential Wellbeing Program and Leading for Better Mental Health
Siusan Mackenzie, Emergency Services Foundation 		A PTSD Group Program for First Responders and Correctional Officers: Discussing the Benefits
Julie Huntington, Pine Rivers Private Hospital 		Stress, Resilience & Functioning - 8 Week Peer-Led Program (Building Emotional Resilience)
Matt Newlands, Frontline Mental Health and A/Prof Jon Lane
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM Development, Evaluation and Application of the Mental Readiness for Military Transition Scale
Dr Madeline Romaniuk, University of Queensland 		MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Real-World Insights for Clinicians of First Responders
Dr Michael Winlo and Dr Jon Laugharne, Empax Centre 		Moral Injury on the Frontline - A New Dimension to Trauma
Dr Nikki Jamieson, Moral Injury Australia
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw
Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
Monarch - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors #2
Chair: Pip Weiland
Workshop Three
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Enhancing Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace
Cameron Burgess, MacKillop Family Services 		Practical Self-Compassion for Frontline Workers
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Melinda McDonald and Alexandra Bryant, Fire and Rescue NSW 		Workshop Three Continued
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Protective Influences and Mediating Factors on the Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers (aka Prevention)
Chair: 		Treating Trauma: Latest Thinking in Therapeutic Approaches and Treatments
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Australian Ambulance: Can It Make a Difference?
Dr Katie Tunks Leach, University of Technology Sydney 		Three Years of Tiered Mental Health Support Through the National Emergency Worker Support Service
Dr Andrew Arena, Black Dog Institute
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Organisational Support and Mental Health in Fire and Emergency Services: Insights from the Whanaungatanga Programme
Professor Grant Schofield and Dr Lisa MacKay, Auckland University of Technology 		Treating Frontline Workers With PTSD: an Update on What Works and What the Future Holds
Professor Samuel Harvey, Black Dog Institute
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Early Intervention and Leaders: Residential Wellbeing Program and Leading for Better Mental Health
Siusan Mackenzie, Emergency Services Foundation 		A PTSD Group Program for First Responders and Correctional Officers: Discussing the Benefits
Julie Huntington, Pine Rivers Private Hospital
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM Development, Evaluation and Application of the Mental Readiness for Military Transition Scale
Dr Madeline Romaniuk, University of Queensland 		MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Real-World Insights for Clinicians of First Responders
Dr Michael Winlo and Dr Jon Laugharne, Empax Centre
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw

Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Workshop Four
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Preparing Frontline Workers for Their Role in Postvention
Tim De Goey, StandBy Support After Suicide
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop Four Continued
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Open Topic #3
Chair: Matthew Hill
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Moral Injury & Trauma Support Within Fire Rescue Victoria: Integrating Chaplaincy and Psychological Approaches
Jesse Winter and Nicholas Lay, Fire Rescue Victoria
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Coping in Mental Health Providers Deployed Following Natural Disasters
Julia Evecek, University of New England
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Stress, Resilience & Functioning - 8 Week Peer-Led Program (Building Emotional Resilience)
Matt Newlands, Frontline Mental Health and A/Prof Jon Lane
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM Moral Injury on the Frontline - A New Dimension to Trauma
Dr Nikki Jamieson, Moral Injury Australia
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw

Prince and Virtual via OnAIR
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Beyond the Individual – The Role of Organisational Culture and Stressors #2
Chair: Pip Weiland
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Enhancing Psychosocial Safety in the Workplace
Cameron Burgess, MacKillop Family Services
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Beyond the Warrior Mentality: Fostering a Guardian Mindset Through Cultural Humility
Melinda McDonald and Alexandra Bryant, Fire and Rescue NSW
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Protective Influences and Mediating Factors on the Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers (aka Prevention)
Chair:
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Pastoral Care/Chaplaincy in Australian Ambulance: Can It Make a Difference?
Dr Katie Tunks Leach, University of Technology Sydney
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Organisational Support and Mental Health in Fire and Emergency Services: Insights from the Whanaungatanga Programme
Professor Grant Schofield and Dr Lisa MacKay, Auckland University of Technology
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Early Intervention and Leaders: Residential Wellbeing Program and Leading for Better Mental Health
Siusan Mackenzie, Emergency Services Foundation
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM Development, Evaluation and Application of the Mental Readiness for Military Transition Scale
Dr Madeline Romaniuk, University of Queensland
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw

Monarch - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Workshop Three
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Practical Self-Compassion for Frontline Workers
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop Three Continued
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Treating Trauma: Latest Thinking in Therapeutic Approaches and Treatments
Chair: Dr Sadhbh Joyce
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Three Years of Tiered Mental Health Support Through the National Emergency Worker Support Service
Dr Andrew Arena, Black Dog Institute
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Treating Frontline Workers With PTSD: an Update on What Works and What the Future Holds
Professor Samuel Harvey, Black Dog Institute
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM A PTSD Group Program for First Responders and Correctional Officers: Discussing the Benefits
Julie Huntington, Pine Rivers Private Hospital
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM MDMA-Assisted Therapy for PTSD: Real-World Insights for Clinicians of First Responders
Dr Michael Winlo and Dr Jon Laugharne, Empax Centre
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw

Royal Poinciana - In-Person Only
6:30 AM - 7:15 AM Trauma-Informed Yoga Class, hosted by Mollie Cox, Jala Yoga - Tuesday Session
Stretch and unwind when you join Mollie Cox from Jala Yoga for a guided Yoga session. These sessions promise to be a serene escape before the hustle of a big day of presentations and learning. If you’re a yoga enthusiast or a beginner, everyone attending the conference is welcome to attend.
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Registration Desk Open
Day 2 - Conference Opening
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Welcome & Housekeeping
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM, Firefighter | Lived Experience Researcher | Specialist in Trauma, Suicide and Stress-related Growth
8:40 AM - 8:45 AM A Mindful Pause
Dr Sadhbh Joyce, Mindarma and The Black Dog Institute/UNSW
8:45 AM - 10:15 AM Keynote Panel: Leadership's Role in Mental Health: How Effective Leadership Can Positively Impact the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Frontline Workers
Join this dynamic panel discussion, featuring executive and operational leaders and mental health experts, as we explore how effective leadership can significantly enhance the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers. Frontline roles are often accompanied by high levels of stress and psychological risk, and leaders within these frontline organisations are critical to creating supportive, resilient work environments. Our distinguished panellists will discuss the role of leaders in fostering psychological safety, mitigating stigma, and supporting long-term resilience. Drawing from their experiences in emergency services, healthcare, and mental health research, the panel will examine key strategies such as creating comprehensive mental health strategies, reducing stigma, and integrating wellbeing into everyday practice. The conversation will highlight how leadership at all levels can promote mental wellbeing, enhance organisational resilience, and empower workers to seek support. This panel offers actionable insights for both senior leaders and frontline managers who are committed to prioritising mental health in their workplaces.

 

Moderator: James Maskey, Director of Strategic Communication, Fortem Australia

Panelist: Mark Armstrong, CSC, Chief Officer, Queensland State Emergency Service

Panelist: Senior Sargeant Todd Best, Senior Operational Support Officer, Financial and Cyber Crime Group, Queensland Police Service

Panelist: Mary Noy, Director, Health and Wellbeing, NSW Police Force

Panelist: Deputy Commissioner Operations Debbie Platz, NSW State Emergency Service   

Panelist: Professor Tony Walker, Professor of Paramedicine, Monash University
10:15 AM - 10:25 AM Poster Presentations
Click to see the list of posters on display for the duration of the conference.
10:25 AM - 10:55 AM Morning Tea with Exhibitors.
Workshop Four
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Preparing Frontline Workers for Their Role in Postvention
Tim De Goey, StandBy Support After Suicide
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Workshop Four Continued
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch with Exhibitors.
Open Topic #3
Chair: Matthew Hill
1:00 PM - 1:20 PM Moral Injury & Trauma Support Within Fire Rescue Victoria: Integrating Chaplaincy and Psychological Approaches
Jesse Winter and Nicholas Lay, Fire Rescue Victoria
1:25 PM - 1:45 PM Coping in Mental Health Providers Deployed Following Natural Disasters
Julia Evecek, University of New England
1:50 PM - 2:10 PM Stress, Resilience & Functioning - 8 Week Peer-Led Program (Building Emotional Resilience)
Matt Newlands, Frontline Mental Health and A/Prof Jon Lane
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM Moral Injury on the Frontline - A New Dimension to Trauma
Dr Nikki Jamieson, Moral Injury Australia
2:35 PM - 3:05 PM Afternoon Tea with Exhibitors.
Join us for our final Keynote Session
Chair: Dr Tara J Lal AFSM
3:05 PM - 3:15 PM Delegate Activity
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM Beyond the Uniform: Navigating the Impact of Service Culture on Well-being
Dr Henry Bowen, Senior Research Officer and Dr Karen May, Program Director, Military and Emergency Services
3:50 PM - 4:50 PM Supporting Those Who Serve: Using Contemporary Research Results to Make Meaningful Gains
Professor. R. Nicholas Carleton, Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of Regina Canada
4:50 PM - 5:00 PM Conference Closing & Prize Draw

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