This is a fully catered FREE event for professionals and interested community members.

This year's theme is "The Impact of Racism on Mental Health"

We are excited to invite network members, professionals, and community members to join us for this year’s forum addressing one of the most pressing issues facing our diverse communities. This year's program will explore how racism impacts mental health and wellbeing.

Presenters

Errol Amerasekera will share insights from his extensive work in creating inclusive cultures across organisations and communities. As owner of Bluestone Edge Pty Ltd and author of The Antiracist Organisation, Errol brings a unique perspective on dismantling structural racism through his trauma-informed, person-centric approach. His work spanning from international conflict zones to Australian sporting sectors provides valuable context for understanding racism's organisational and systemic impacts on mental health.

Dr. Catherine Muburi, a psychiatrist with Royal Hobart Hospital's Mental Health Services South, will present on the clinical intersections of racism and mental health care. Drawing from her research background and experience in innovative mental health approaches, Dr. Muburi will explore how culturally responsive psychiatric care can address the mental health impacts of racial discrimination.

Warren Mason, a proud Indigenous artist with connections to the Yorta Yorta and Yuwaalaraay tribes, will demonstrate how art and storytelling serve as powerful tools for healing from the trauma of racism and disconnection. His work on "healing scars" through creative expression offers profound insights into Indigenous approaches to mental health recovery and cultural reconnection in the face of racial adversity.

Students Against Racism (youth-led initiative, established in 2008) will screen their powerful short film "Our Story" followed by a Q&A session. It features young Tasmanians from refugee and migrant backgrounds sharing their personal experiences of racism and its impact on mental health. The film and discussion will provide authentic perspectives on how racism affects young people's wellbeing and sense of belonging, offering valuable insights for mental health practitioners working with diverse communities.

Daven Ong - Equal Opportunity Tasmania will outline the legal and systemic frameworks for addressing racism. His presentation will explore how discrimination complaint processes and community education initiatives can contribute to better mental health outcomes for affected communities.