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Program

The Symposium program will be shaped around three core session themes:

Addressing the effects of stigma and discrimination on individuals and families.

Responding to stigma and discrimination in communities.

Reducing stigma and discrimination in systems.

All sessions will involve a panel discussion featuring a diverse group of stakeholders. Each session will also include an interactive workshop, giving all attendees the opportunity to contribute.

Time

Session Details

8:30am

Arrival and Registrations

Welcome and Introduction

9:00am

9:30am - 11:00am

Session 1: Addressing the impact of stigma and discrimination on individuals and families.
Chair: Priscilla Brice | CEO, National Mental Health Consumer Alliance
Speakers:

  • Kellie Stastny | Chair, Intervoice

  • De Backman-Hoyle | National Manager, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, Mental Health Carers Australia

  • Abi Cooper | Advocacy and Policy, Manager, Batyr

  • Vicki Palmer | Professor, University of Melbourne/ALIVE

  • Alan Thorpe | Director, Dardi Munwurro

Morning Tea

11:00am - 11:30am

11:30am - 1:00pm

Session 2: Creating Inclusive Communities.
Chair: Mark Orr AM | CEO, Flourish Australia
Speakers:

  • Vrinda Edan | CEO, VMIAC

  • Sharon Grocott | CEO, Wayahead

  • Greg Jennings | Beyond Blue

  • Nicola Reavley | Professor, University of Melbourne

  • Gayle McNaught | StigmaWatch/SANE

Lunch

1:00pm - 1:45pm

1:45pm - 3:15pm

Session 3: Reducing stigma and discrimination in systems.
Chair: Prof. Hon. Kevin Bell, Professor, Casten Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University
Speakers:

  • Giancarlo de Vera | CEO, BEING Mental Health Consumers

  • Amaya Alvarez | Manager, Family and Carer Strategy/Programs, MIND

  • Amy Morgan | A/Professor, University of Melbourne

  • Asami Koike | CEO, Shapes and Sounds

  • Davina Dressler, SANE

Afternoon Tea

3:15pm - 3:45pm

3:45pm - 4:45pm

Session 4: Reflective and Interactive Session.
Chair: Monique Jackson, NOUS Group
Speakers:

  • Tim Heffernan, Steering Group, BEING

  • Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence, IALEC

  • Prof. Hon. Kevin Bell, Professor, Casten Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University

  • David McGrath, CEO, National Mental Health Commission

  • Priscilla Brice | CEO, National Mental Health Consumer Alliance

Closing Remarks

 4:45pm - 5:00pm

Meet our Speakers

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Acknowledgement​​

The 2026 Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Symposium is funded by the National Mental Health Commission.

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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the unceded lands on which we work, learn and live. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future, and acknowledge the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the Academy.

Copyright 2026 by Stigma Discrimination Reduction Symposium

Produced by JT. Production Management

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