Poster Presenters

The 4 C’s of Youth Engagement by Casey Moller (Headspace Midland)

The Dangerous Myth of the Deficient 'Teen Brain' by Dr John Sutcliffe (ECU): The notion that young people have undeveloped brains has become a popular argument to explain their supposed poor behaviour, however this is a flawed and dangerous position that needs to be challenged...

Empower, Educate, Equip: ADHD WA SPARK Program by Dr Cayla Bellagarda, Bethany Brajkovich, Leila Matthews & Shelby Rideout-Andrews (ADHA WA): A collaborative and proactive solutions approach to treating ADHD in children and adolescents.

Youth-led IMPACT by Kat Faithfull, Sophia Romano, Mokoi Iga & Charlotte Le Page (World Vision Australia): IMPACT Club plays a critical role in connecting the lived experiences of young people with the broader community, IMPACT creates safe spaces for meaningful conversations and shared solutions. The model is an internationally evidence-based program adapted for the local context. Clubs operate in the West Kimberley region, running in Derby and Mowanjum community. Still an issue today, these areas were once affected by some of the highest suicide rates in Australia. The program aims to provide youth with the skills, knowledge, and support needed to navigate challenges, especially at times of transition, and become leaders.

Reimagining youth mental health services using outcomes and impact by Ellie Morrissey, Katrina Hon & Kassandra Hon (Youth Focus): Youth Focus works to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young Western Australians. This poster summarises our Outcome and Impact Model. Ellie Morrissey (she/her) works to develop an understanding of the changes our services create for young people, carers and communities, and embed this in how we support young people.

Cérge app and All About Me by Jennifer Crowther (Cergé): Cergé provides ‘know before you go’ information to help people with disability prepare for visiting venues. Resources include a 360° virtual tour, sensory guide, AI wayfinding, access guide, and audio guide. The free companion app enables community members to share key details with venues to support staff preparation. In 2024, Cergé partnered in a co-design to develop a resource to be integrated into the app. Led by young people with disability, including advocates Lily Gaulton and Oliver Lim, the resource will share strengths, needs, and strategies.

Our Place - Creating Safe Spaces Alongside LGBTQIA+ Young People by Robbie Sumner, Kiana Roberts, James Thorn (Our Place): Supported by headspace Midland, Youth Focus, and the City of Swan, Our Place is a youth-led project dedicated to supporting, connecting, and empowering LGBTQIA+ young people and promoting diversity and inclusion in WA. Sharing the perspectives of our young people and Youth Committee, this poster discusses Our Place’s work, creating safe spaces alongside LGBTQIA+ young people, and tips for other organisations wishing to create LGBTQIA+ safe spaces.

Pride in the Regions: A Case Study on the Role of LGBTIQA+ Community Development in Albany by Steph Andrews, Shane Early, Soph Laver, Alexandra Laycock, Steph Marshall, Ashleigh Nurse, Sharmila Radha Krishnan, Karina Reeves, Marcus Shaw, Dr Daniel Vujcich, Stewart Wheeler (WAAC, Freedom Centre): In February 2025, Freedom Centre (FC), a peer-led mental health support service for LGBTQIA+ (LGBT+) aged 12-25, in partnership with WAAC and M Clinic, led a comprehensive community development initiative to support LGBT+ people in the Albany region during Albany Pride. These included a workshop for parents on supporting LGBT+ youth, sexual health workshops in schools, an LGBTIQA+ Community Roundtable to enhance regional responses, a Wellbeing Workshop for LGBT+ youth incorporating art therapy centred on joy, outreach at Barn Dance and Queer Bingo, and outreach sexual health testing at Pride Fair Day and Amity Health, a local General Practice. This collaboration was a direct response to negative social and cultural discourse affecting the LGBTIQA+ community.