The Kids researchers (L-R): Bek Morrison, Dr Karen Lombardi, Dr Jack Farrugia, Katherine Murfitt, Dr Gail Alvares, Dr Hayley Jackson and A/Prof Yael Perry at the SMHR conference.
Connecting with future collaborators was a key theme for researchers representing Embrace, Healing Kids, Healing Families and Youth Mental Health at a national mental health conference last month.
The annual Society for Mental Health Research conference ran from 19-21 November in Adelaide, with a theme of ‘Pathways for Diversity, Equity and Personalisation in Mental Health Care’.
Among the contingent from The Kids was Head of the Youth Mental Health team Associate Professor Yael Perry, who presented on an LGBTQIA+ inclusive practice training program for trainee health professionals, and again on the impacts of TikTok on mental health.
Head of the Youth Mental Health team A/Prof Perry presenting at SMHR in 2025.
A/Prof Perry said the conference is “consistently a warm, supportive and engaging conference that provides lots of opportunities to connect with likeminded mental health researchers around the country”.
“I really appreciate the Society's focus on supporting EMCRs and ensuring the next generation of researchers can present their work and connect with one another in a collaborative setting,” she added.
Dr Jack Farrugia, who also works in the Youth Mental Health team, said it was a highlight to meet with leaders in the field.
Dr Jack Farrugia presenting at the 2025 SMHR conference in Adelaide.
“It was great to share our research interests and passions for improving the mental health and wellbeing of regional young people specifically, and discuss ways that we can collaborate and work together,” he said.
Aboriginal Project Officer Bek Morrison and Dr Hayley Jackson presented on recent findings from a project seeking to improve cultural safety in mental health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
For Ms Morrison, two high points in her first professional conference were challenging herself to present on the findings, and hearing from PhD candidate Joanne Golding about the importance of culture on adolescents seeking mental health support.
Bek Morrison and Dr Hayley Jackson of the Healing Kids, Healing Families team presenting at SMHR 2025 in Adelaide.
Clinical psychologist and PhD candidate Katherine Murfitt presented on improving mental health outcomes for LGBTQA+ young people through inclusive psychology supervision.
“Speaking to people after my presentation who were excited about the research and who were particularly keen to keep up-to-date with the project and keep in touch for future updates and collaborative opportunities was helpful,” she said.
“There was also a sense of camaraderie with others at the conference who had similar experiences of trying to juggle lots of demands with finite resources, and still finding joy and satisfaction in navigating that balance.”
PhD candidate Katherine Murfitt presenting at SMHR in 2025.