Conference
Alongside Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference 2026
Thursday 14th - Friday 15th May 2026
The Ark, 9 Killafaddy Road, St Leonards
The Alongside Mental Health & Wellbeing Conference explores transformative approaches to providing support and care to anyone experiencing mental ill health, and raises awareness of the assistance available in the community. This conference will not only benefit mental health professionals, but also friends, family members, colleagues, support workers, teachers and teacher assistants, pastors and church-goers, carers, and anyone acquainted with someone experiencing a mental health challenge.
You will gain confidence in how to engage with those experiencing mental ill health, or a mental health crisis, and be equipped with skills and strategies to walk the journey with them.
This two-day conference brings together evidence-based content from thought leaders in mental health including guest speakers (to be announced at a later date)
Program coming soon.
For More Information: alongside@citymission.org.au
Alongside Conference 2026 Key Note Speakers
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Angelo has worked in the field of psychiatry for 33 years, with 28 of those years as a Consultant Psychiatrist. He holds specialist qualifications from both the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and the College of Psychiatrists in South Africa. His career has included practice in South Africa and England, and for the past 22 years he has been based in Cairns, Far North Queensland.
While his training and practice have encompassed all aspects of psychiatry, Angelo has special interests in Psychiatry of Old Age, Clinical and Research Ethics, and Pastoral Care. He leads a Community Old Age Psychiatry Service, participates in a Clinical Ethics Forum, and chairs a Human Research Ethics Committee. In addition, he provides training and mentoring for trainee psychiatrists, nurses, allied health professionals, pastoral workers, support workers, and members of the public.
An ordained minister of religion, Angelo has served on pastoral teams, led a pastoral team, and been involved in equipping leaders in both church and marketplace settings. He is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives.
Outside of work, Angelo enjoys hiking, fishing, and watching sport.
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Dr Patrick Parkinson AM, MA, LLM, LLD, is an Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Queensland. He served as Dean of Law at UQ from 2018 to 2021 and was previously a Professor of Law at the University of Sydney. He is a specialist in family law, child protection, law and religion, and the law of equity and trusts. His publications include Australian Family Law in Context (8th ed., 2023), Tradition and Change in Australian Law (5th ed., 2013), Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood (2011), and Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches (2nd ed., 2003), among others.
Professor Parkinson has held numerous advisory roles. He was Chairperson of the Family Law Council from 2004 to 2007, advising the federal Attorney-General, and chaired a review of the Child Support Scheme which led to major legislative reforms. He also chaired a review of NSW child protection law resulting in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998. From 2011 to 2014, he served as President of the International Society of Family Law and was a member of the Independent Advisory Council for Redress for Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009, Dr Parkinson now lives in Launceston and is Executive Director of Publica. He also practices law part-time.
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Rosalie Martin is a clinical speech pathologist with more than 40 years’ experience. She is driven by kindness in action, evidence-based service … and fun! Rosalie is also a criminologist and dialogue facilitator. She was the 2017 Tasmanian Australian of the Year for her work supporting literacy and parent-child attachment to those not usually offered such opportunity – prison inmates.
To support this work, Rosalie ran a literacy-and communication-focused charity for a decade. She is currently completing a criminology PhD on the concept of communication privilege. Rosalie continues to lead, gently but audibly, in the expanding conversation of 100% literacy and equity for Tasmanians.
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“The conference was fantastic. It was wonderful that we heard from so many different people about different topics. I particularly enjoyed the Mental Health First Aid talk, and I am currently arranging to have a Mental Health First Aid course run onsite for myself and my work colleagues.”
- 2023 Alongside Conference Attendee
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“The conference took the stigma away from discussing mental health and gave us practical tips for having open communication around a topic that is sometimes difficult to talk about. It is valuable to have been taught practical tools that we can use in both personal and work situations, when and if the need arises.”
- 2024 Alongside Conference Attendee
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“I really enjoyed all sessions. I loved how we were not just given tools on what we should do but also what we need to stop doing. The kickstarting motivation tips and ideas on how to start and keep motivation going were great”
- 2023 Alongside Conference Attendee
Thank you to Alongside Conference sponsors & partners:
