CHERI's annual conference

Mental Health and Well-being of Students: Keeping it Strong

3rd and 4th September 2009, Westmead Hospital.

Early bird registration available till 31st July 2009!!

Conference Overview

One in five Australians will experience a mental illness. Mental health problems cause considerable personal distress, contribute to school failure, future unemployment and poorer quality of life. Mental illness not only has a significantly adverse impact upon the individual, but also has far-reaching implications for families, carers and others in the community and schools. Australian research indicates that the services most commonly utilised by children and adolescents with mental health problems are those provided by school staff, general practitioners and paediatricians.

This conference provides an overview of a range of mental health problems, such as anxiety and mood disorders, commonly experienced by school aged students. Also addressed at this conference will be the identification and management of these problems, particularly in a school setting, as well as the implementation of behavioural and transition plans. The influence of other compounding factors such as transcultural issues and the presence of intellectual disabilities will also be discussed. Information on a range of resources, on-line services and interventions will be presented.

The conference will be of practical value and of interest to educators, many allied health workers and other professionals such as school counsellors, psychologists, GP’s, paediatricians and psychiatrists. 

Keynote Speakers

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg: The Five Great Obstacles to Maintaining and Improving the Mental Health of Young People in Australia - and What to Do About it - A View From the Couch.

Dr Carr-Gregg is one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists and he works in private practice in Melbourne. He is a columnist for Girlfriend Magazine, Australian Doctor, author of five best selling books, and is currently a regular on Neil Mitchell’s morning program on radio 3AW.

Professor Gordon Parker: Mood Disorders in Adolescents

Professor Parker is currently Scientia Professor of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Executive Director of the Black Dog Institute, Sydney.

Clinical Professor David Bennett: Nurturing Resilience in Young People: Practical Strategies

Clinical Professor David Bennett is an adolescent health physician with a major interest in the development of integrated, creative health services for young people and their families.

Michael Durrant: A Strengths and Solution-Focused Approach to Challenging Behaviour: Discovering Hidden Competence and Building More Optimistic Futures

Michael is an Honorary Academic Associate in the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Director of the Brief Therapy Institute of Sydney, a registered psychologist and a trainer of supervisors for the NSW Psychologists Registration Board.

To view the full conference program and registration costs please click here

To register on-line, please click on the button “Register Online Now!” below.  

Please contact the CHERI office on 02 9845 0418 or email info@cheri.com.au to receive further information about the conference or register your interest in other topics by clicking here.