Stronger together: harnessing partnerships and sport for frontline mental health
Tracks
Marquis Room - In Person Only
| Tuesday, March 3, 2026 |
| 1:30 PM - 2:00 PM |
| Marquis |
Overview
Georgina Lamb & Neil Burgin, IPAR Rehabilitation
Details
Three Key Learnings:
Discover the latest research demonstrating how sport strengthens mental health in veterans, with clear relevance for all frontline workers Learn how partnerships between veteran-focused organisations, research bodies, and rehabilitation providers can improve mental health outcomes for frontline workers Gain insights into embedding sport-based interventions into recovery and return to work plans for frontline workers
Discover the latest research demonstrating how sport strengthens mental health in veterans, with clear relevance for all frontline workers Learn how partnerships between veteran-focused organisations, research bodies, and rehabilitation providers can improve mental health outcomes for frontline workers Gain insights into embedding sport-based interventions into recovery and return to work plans for frontline workers
Speaker
Neil Burgin
Director, Strategy and Research
Invictus Australia
Stronger together: harnessing partnerships and sport for frontline mental health
Biography
Neil Burgin is Director of Strategy and Research at Invictus Australia, a national non-profit connecting serving and former Defence personnel, and their families, to sport for wellbeing. A British Army veteran with multiple combat deployments, Neil brings deep experience from sport and government, including 10 years at the Australian Sports Commission where he led the design of innovative growth strategies, including the design of the National Sport Research Agenda . At Invictus Australia, he drives cross-sector collaboration between research, Defence, and sport to advance evidence-based approaches that support mental health, recovery, and resilience in the veteran community.
Georgina Lamb
National Manager - Partnerships & Innovation
IPAR Rehabilitation
Stronger together: harnessing partnerships and sport for frontline mental health
Presentation Overview
Each year, approximately 5,500 Australian Defence Force personnel transition out of service, facing challenges such as identity loss, mental health struggles, social disconnection, and employment challenges.
Invictus Australia, grounded in lived experience, commissioned a landmark literature review exploring the role of sport in supporting veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes and reducing rates of suicide.
This important research found that sport and physical activity can serve as a crucial bridge during this transition by addressing these challenges through structured activity, social engagement, and mental health benefits, including reduction in PTSD symptoms, improved mood regulation, increased sense of purpose, and fostering of social support networks.
Sport is a powerful tool for improving veteran mental, physical, and social well-being.
IPAR Rehabilitation, a national rehabilitation provider and partner of Invictus Australia since 2022, plays a critical role in translating this evidence into practice, integrating sport within rehabilitation frameworks for transitioning veterans, and reinforcing the importance of physical activity in recovery and reintegration.
This presentation will showcase how cross-sector partnerships and collaboration can accelerate the translation of research into real-world practice. By joining the dots between sport, mental health and occupational rehabilitation, this partnership provides a powerful blueprint for innovation in frontline wellbeing – one that is grounded in evidence, enriched by collaboration and committed to lasting impact.
The presentation will highlight:
- The research findings from Invictus Australia’s commissioned research on sport and veteran mental health, with case studies and policy recommendations
- The role of sport as a rehabilitative tool and practical pathways for embedding sport into recovery and return to work programs.
- How this evidence creates the foundation for a broader research agenda, exploring how these benefits can extend beyond veteran communities to all frontline workers.
Invictus Australia, grounded in lived experience, commissioned a landmark literature review exploring the role of sport in supporting veterans and their families as they transition from military to civilian life, with a focus on improving mental health outcomes and reducing rates of suicide.
This important research found that sport and physical activity can serve as a crucial bridge during this transition by addressing these challenges through structured activity, social engagement, and mental health benefits, including reduction in PTSD symptoms, improved mood regulation, increased sense of purpose, and fostering of social support networks.
Sport is a powerful tool for improving veteran mental, physical, and social well-being.
IPAR Rehabilitation, a national rehabilitation provider and partner of Invictus Australia since 2022, plays a critical role in translating this evidence into practice, integrating sport within rehabilitation frameworks for transitioning veterans, and reinforcing the importance of physical activity in recovery and reintegration.
This presentation will showcase how cross-sector partnerships and collaboration can accelerate the translation of research into real-world practice. By joining the dots between sport, mental health and occupational rehabilitation, this partnership provides a powerful blueprint for innovation in frontline wellbeing – one that is grounded in evidence, enriched by collaboration and committed to lasting impact.
The presentation will highlight:
- The research findings from Invictus Australia’s commissioned research on sport and veteran mental health, with case studies and policy recommendations
- The role of sport as a rehabilitative tool and practical pathways for embedding sport into recovery and return to work programs.
- How this evidence creates the foundation for a broader research agenda, exploring how these benefits can extend beyond veteran communities to all frontline workers.
Biography
Georgina is National Manager – Partnerships & Innovation at IPAR Rehabilitation, leading partnerships and initiatives that improve health outcomes for Australian workers. Her work centres on collaboration – partnering with academia, industry and organisations such as Invictus Australia.
A strong advocate for sport as a tool for mental health recovery, Georgina can draw on her own lived experience using physical activity to support mental health, identity and connection. She has been recognised through a Health Benefits of Good Work Steering Group Award and as a finalist in the Personal Injury Education Foundation Awards for collaborative innovation in recovery.
