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Australian of the Year to speak at USC
Australian of the Year Professor Patrick McGorry will be the special guest speaker at the inaugural national Mental Health Summit at the University of the Sunshine Coast next week (Thursday 24 June and Friday 25 June).
Professor McGorry, who has been recognised for his groundbreaking work in mitigating the problems faced by young people with mental illness, will speak at four sessions of the two-day summit that is attracting hundreds of delegates from across the country.
Two of these sessions are open to the public: a free mental health public forum from 6.30-9.30pm on Thursday 24 June; and a business community breakfast from 6.45am on Friday 25 June.
The public forum will be a question and answer panel session and is expected to feature a lively discussion on the mental health services and needs of the region.
Panellists will include Shadow Minister for Health Mark McArdle, AMA Queensland president Mason Stevenson, Ian Hickie of the Brain and Mind Institute and former rugby union player Enrique “Topo” Rodriguez who has bipolar disorder.
The business breakfast on Friday will focus on mental health issues that are likely to affect businesses and organisations as staff deal with change, growth or uncertainty.
The summit has been jointly organised by the University of the Sunshine Coast, ConNetica Consulting and Focus Personal Health and Therapy. It will be officially opened by Queensland’s Minister for Disability Services and Multiculural Affairs Annastacia Palaszczuk.
USC Adjunct Professor and ConNetica Director John Mendoza said the summit would benefit greatly from Professor McGorry’s experience as a leading international researcher, clinician and advocate for youth mental health reform.
Professor McGorry is the Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health (OYH), an organisation that focuses on the prevention and treatment of mental illness in young people.
Mr Mendoza said OYH had highlighted how early diagnosis and intervention could overcome many of the problems associated with diseases like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
“We need services locally that help prevent the development of serious mental illnesses in our young people,” he said.
“If we fail to do that, we put them at a higher risk of suicide, unemployment and social exclusion. But if we act early, we can keep them engaged and living productive lives.”
Mr Mendoza said the summit aimed to bring about action at both regional and State levels, boost community understanding and recognition of mental health issues, and showcase some of the great work that is happening in the Sunshine Coast region.
“The other message in all of this is that mental health is everyone’s problem,” he said.
“Large amounts of cash from governments will help, but we all have to take a greater role in recognising and assisting on mental health problems to overcome the burden of disability that can result. It’s all about leadership and commitment.”
Mental health practitioners can still register for the summit online at <www.focushealth.com.au>. Registration is also required for the business community breakfast, which costs $85, but not for the free mental health forum on Thursday.
— Terry Walsh