We invite you to spend the day at Bulmba-Ja theatre Changing the Narrative on Suicide with the Life Promotion And Suicide Prevention FNQ Collaborative.

What's on?

A day full of inspiring and thought provoking conversations and connections with local, national and international speakers.

Neither a conference nor an event - this will be a chance to discover what's new and to weave your way through many different ideas, theories, positions and concepts.

And of course a splash of creativity too.

Introducing our Conversation Sparkers

Matt Ball

Matt’s primary interest is in being with any persons understandable human experiences, often labelled as mental illness, and holding space for the wisdom of each person to both narrate and direct their own journey.

Matt is a Nurse Practitioner, Psychotherapist and founder of Humane Clinic. He is a trainer and keynote speaker, who has also developed the theory of Dissociachotic, Suicide Narrative and the Just Listening approach, and teaches, consults, supervises and speaks nationally and internationally.

Jose Ramos

Jose is passionate about shaping a better future through collaboration and creativity. He is a scholar in critical globalization studies, holding a doctorate from Queensland University of Technology.

With over 70 publications on innovative solutions for today’s challenges and 15 years of teaching experience, Jose founded the Futures Lab Academy to drive social change through education. His practice, Action Foresight, collaborates with communities and governments worldwide. As co-founder of the Participatory Future Global Swarm and co-editor of the Journal of Futures Studies, he is dedicated to fostering participatory futures and addressing global issues.

Marnie Weule

Marnie is a mum, her family connections in the Northern Rivers of NSW and her language group is Yaygirr. With a career spanning Community Controlled Organisations and mainstream NGOs.

Marnie has specialised in early childhood education, youth, family and community support, and mental health alongside service delivery innovation

Always with respect and advocacy towards the elevation of our collective voice of self determination.

Narayan Gopalkrishnan

Narayan Gopalkrishnan is a Senior Research Fellow at the Cairns Institute. He was the Founding Director of the Centre for Multicultural and Community Development, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, unique in Australia in bringing together the dual focus on cultural diversity and community development and undertaking groundbreaking work in research, development and training.

Narayan has extensive publications in scholarly journals relating to his research interests including publications for bodies such as UNESCO and UNU. Narayan has a deep passion for social justice and integrated and holistic approaches to human development and participation.

Erica Mast

Erica is a mother, entertainer, friend, advocate, and innovator. She lives in Port Douglas and works in community development in Mossman.

With a deep-seated belief in the power of the people and a “boots on the ground” approach to regional community development, Erica strives to support and offer guidance to the changemakers who wish to improve wellbeing and shape the future.

She believes that hope is our strongest tool and that it warms the soul on the coldest of dark nights.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Contact the host of Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention FNQ Symposium