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World Mental Health Day Breakfast Seminar

Join us on World Mental Health Day for a breakfast seminar led by Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador, Hayley Lewis.

This in-person seminar features keynote presentations on implementing strategies for promoting positive mental health and proactive management of mental health in the workplace.

David Burrough will discuss preventing harm and promoting thriving – the practicalities of an integrated approach to a mentally healthy workplace.

Anna Feringa will share strategies for responding to employees in crisis, followed by an interactive workshop delivered by Mark Oostergo, where you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding on how to implement and apply mental health strategies in your workplace.

Event program

6:30 – 7.00amRegistration
7:00 – 7.05amMaster of Ceremonies welcome
Hayley Lewis
7:05 – 7.15amOpening address
7:15 – 8.00amPreventing harm and promoting thriving - the practicalities of an integrated approach to a mentally healthy workplace
David Burroughs
8.00 – 8.45amBreakfast and networking
8.45 – 9.30am Responding to employees in crisis
Anna Feringa
9.30 – 9.45amMorning tea
9.45 - 11.15amWorkshop: Implementing and applying mental health strategies for your workplace
Mark Oostergo
11.15 – 11.30Event closing remarks

Speakers

Hayley LewisAs Queensland's Mental Health Ambassador, Hayley shares her story and commitment to reducing stigma associated with mental illness and the importance of mentally healthy workplaces.

Hayley Lewis captured the hearts of Australians by winning five Gold Medals at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games at the age of 15. A year later, she went on to become one of Australia’s youngest ever World Champions by winning the 200m freestyle at the Perth World Championships.

In 1992, at her first Olympics, Hayley brought home a silver and a bronze followed by more medals at the '93 Pan Pacs, the '94 Commonwealth Games, the '95 World Championships and the '96 Atlanta Olympics. After a short break, she returned to swimming in 1999 and achieved her goal of making the 2000 Olympic team, as well as the 2001 World Championship team.

Hayley became the first athlete ever to compete for her country in both pool and open water swimming at the same meet. She went on to win a bronze medal and officially retire at the age of 27.

Since those heady days, Hayley has opened a swim school, hosted five seasons of the reality show The Biggest Loser, authored a small business book 'Dream, Believe, Create' and has over 18 years' experience as a small business owner and has completed a psychology degree.

David BurroughsDave Burroughs is the Principal Psychologist of Australian Psychological Services and Chief Mental Health Officer for Westpac Group. He has a 20-year international career as a strategist, consultant and psychologist working across multiple industries.

With career experience across clinical, military, organisational, and community psychology domains, Dave has a commitment to evidence-informed practice and a reputation for tackling complex organisational issues.

He is a mentally healthy workplaces ambassador for SafeWorkNSW, Champion for the National Communications Charter for Mental Health and Suicide, co-founder of Mantle men’s mental health and partner at Psychological Safety Australia.

Mark OostergoMark is a workplace psychologist and risk specialist with a broad background beginning his career serving nearly a decade in the Australian Army as a Psychology Officer. This gave him the opportunity to provide individual, team, and organisational psychological intervention both in Australia and overseas. During this time, Mark also had the privilege of working with Australia’s elite special forces in human performance, selection, workplace mental health, and resilience. He was awarded an Australian Defence Force Gold Commendation for his motivational and supportive leadership in this role.

Mark has also worked across industry in human factors, human performance, workplace mental health, and executive leadership development. He has a passion for delivering tailored workplace interventions to promote positive mental health to create a flourishing work environment. He takes a practical and applied approach to psychology and communicates it in a way that is easily accessible.

Anna FeringaAnna is an award-winning international speaker, author, trainer and workplace mental health consultant. As a respected member of global HSE, Anna was recognised as a Global Top 10 Health and Safety Influencer in 2020 and voted LinkedIn’s Top Voice for Workplace Mental Health in 2022.

With over 18-years’ consulting experience, Anna supports employers by helping them to see that embracing mental health in the workplace can help prevent injury and drive a great culture. She helps Australian businesses transition from fearful and confused, to confident and responsive when faced with mental health challenges in the workplace.