Public Lecture | Women’s Mental Health: Exploring the intersection of stress and addiction

Join us in-person or via livestream for the last event in The Florey’s 2025 Public Lecture Series. This lecture is held to recognise the vital work of our Mental Health Research Priority Area. The Florey is delighted to welcome Minister Ingrid Stitt to open this final lecture in our series.

Hearing perspectives from clinical neuropsychiatrists, neuroscientists, and people with lived experience, we will discuss women’s mental health across the stages of life, focusing on the relationship between stress and addiction.

Join us in exploring how lived experience is reshaping discovery research and clinical practice to improve treatment for people with chronic mental health conditions.

The Florey, in collaboration with our clinical and industry partners, is dedicated to driving meaningful change and underlining the critical role of research in this field. 

Our speakers

Dr Leigh Walker

Leigh is an NHMRC Emerging Leader Fellow and Deputy lead of Mental Health Research at The Florey. Leigh’s research investigates the neurobiology of mental health disorders, including anxiety and alcohol use disorders. They are particularly interested in increasing understanding of female neurobiology and basic discovery of new treatment options.

Jenny Valentish

Jenny is a journalist and author of books such as Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment. She served as a board director of SMART Recovery Australia for five years, has given keynote talks about women, drug use and stigma at AOD conventions, and has taught memoir writing and media training to multiple AOD service providers and their clients.

Associate Professor Shalini Arunogiri

Shalini is a clinical addiction psychiatrist and a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow. She has extensive experience working across alcohol and other drug (AOD) and mental health services. Her research focus is on clinical research into novel treatments for substance use disorders.

The Lecture will be from 10:30am - 11:30am followed by a reception with light catering in the Foyer.

PLEASE NOTE: Elizabeth and Victoria streets tram works  from Monday 6 October will impact public transportation:

Tram routes 19, 57 and 59 along Elizabeth Street will be impacted. For information on service changes and alternative travel options during the works visit transport.vic.gov.au/disruptions/disruptions-information

Join the Livestream here.

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