TFN Live Melbourne will take place on 18 March 2020, hosted by The IOOF Foundation and supported by Shadforth.

At this event, you will hear from organisations running programs that focus on the intervention and/or prevention of mental illness.

Cost: $30.00 per attendee
Venue: Shadforth, Level 7, 161 Collins St, Melbourne

PRESENTING PROGRAM #1: FIRST STEP

First Step is a mental health, addiction and legal services hub based in St Kilda, Melbourne. Unique to the First Step model is the way in which it combines the expertise of GPs, mental health nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, criminal and family violence lawyers, case co-ordinators and peer workers to achieve the best outcome for each individual it supports. First Step is pitching for funding to hire an in-house coordinator to help its most vulnerable clients achieved sustained whole-of-life improvements. Find out more: firststep.org.au

Meet the presenter: Patrick Lawrence, CEO, The First Step Program Patrick began his professional life as a concert pianist and vocal coach before transitioning to the community sector in 2002. He began working at First Step in 2005, while simultaneously joining the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre where he held a number of roles over ten years. He later reconnected with First Step to became CEO in 2017.

PRESENTING PROGRAM #2: CASSE

Established in 2009, CASSE (Creating A Safe Supportive Environment) works with Aboriginal communities to overcome trauma through evidence-informed cultural revival and psychological healing programs. CASSE applies cultural and psychoanalytic methods to enable change and recovery in Aboriginal communities, specifically addressing mental health issues of trauma reflected in high suicide and violence rates in Central Australia. CASSE is pitching for funding to provide cultural camps for traumatised youth in the justice system and their elders. Find out more: casse.org.au

Meet the presenter: Pamela Nathan, Director Australian Aboriginal Relations Program, CASSE Pamela Nathan is a clinical and forensic psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. She has worked in Central Australia for nearly forty years, first joining the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service in 1999 as a sociologist. She has published several books and papers on the health needs of Aboriginal people in Victoria.

PRESENTING PROGRAM #3: MINDFULL AUS

Mindfull Aus encourages those affected by mind and behavioural health challenges to put wellness back in their own hands so that they can lead healthy, happy and fulfilling lives. Its work is largely focused on suicide prevention, facilitating programs and training to youth within primary schools and holiday programs, and supporting regional and rural communities. Mindfull Aus will be pitching for funding to implement its primary school program in high risk areas of suicide in Gippsland, Victoria. Find out more: mindfullaus.org

Meet the presenter: Matt Runnalls, CEO, Mindfull Aus Matt is a mental health advocate and speaker, as well as the CEO and founder of Mindfull Aus. He uses his lived experience to encourage others to speak up and manage their mental wellbeing, and is passionate about creating awareness, acceptance and education of mental illness.