Invited Speakers

Invited Speakers

Meet Our Speakers

Diego De Leo Address

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Prof Diego de Leo
Diego de Leo Address

Professor Diego de Leo is an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Griffith University and a leading figure in psychogeriatrics and suicidology. His groundbreaking work has shaped global strategies for suicide prevention, influencing policy and research across continents.

Professor de Leo’s journey spans decades of dedicated service, including founding World Day for Suicide Prevention in 2003, an event now observed worldwide annually. His leadership roles include presidencies at the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the International Academy for Suicide Research, alongside directing two WHO Collaborating Centres in Australia and Italy.

Recognised with numerous prestigious awards and honours – including being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia – Professor de Leo’s contributions extend to over 550 published articles. His research on loneliness, ageism, and the psychological impact of traumatic loss continues to inspire change, breaking down stigma and fostering hope within communities globally.

Presenting: To be Confirmed

Keynote Speakers

Kendall Whyte

Kendall Whyte
National Keynote Speaker

Kendall Whyte is the founder and CEO of Blue Tree Project, a grass-roots movement which has turned into a charity, making an impact across Australia and other parts of the world.

From Mukinbudin in the Central Wheatbelt of Western Australia, her journey started after the heartbreaking loss of her brother to suicide in 2018. Since then, she has channeled her energy into creating vital conversations around mental health, particularly in regional and rural communities where such discussions are often neglected.

Her work has not only helped break down the stigma surrounding mental health but also inspired change on a national scale. She’s been recognised with numerous accolades, including being named the 2022 Young Australian of the Year for Western Australia.

Presenting: To be Confirmed

Dr Louise La Sala
National Keynote Speaker

Dr Louise La Sala is a Research Fellow at Orygen, Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne. Her research is focused on youth self-harm and suicide prevention, with a specific interest in the impact of social media on the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Dr La Sala is a lead researcher on the #chatsafe program which aims to provide young people, educators, and families with the tools to communicate safely online about self-harm and suicide. Her work investigates the complex relationship between social media and youth mental health, and she brings unique expertise in developing effective strategies to promote online safety and prevent self-harm and suicide among young people. Her work has informed online safety and suicide prevention policy at both a national and international level and she regularly works with popular social media platforms and online safety bodies to promote safe online environments for young people.

Dr La Sala is a member of the International Association for Youth Mental Health, International Association of Suicide Prevention, Society for Mental Health Research and International Early Intervention and Prevention in Mental Health Association. She also sits on a Special Global Taskforce for the Prevention of Self-harm and Suicide in Women and Girls.

Presenting: To be Confirmed

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Dr Sandersan Onie
National Keynote Speaker

Dr Sandersan Onie is a researcher with lived and living experience of suicide advising suicide prevention research and programs in over 30 countries. He is a Research Fellow at the Black Dog Institute and the Founding President of the Indonesian Association for Suicide Prevention. He represents Indonesia at the International Association for Suicide Prevention and is a visiting research fellow at Harvard Medical School. His work focuses on suicide prevention strategies, including digital marketing to reach individuals in crisis. He has advised tech companies and consulted for the WHO on global guidelines, contributing to Indonesia’s enshrinement of suicide prevention in law after the 2022 G20.

Presenting: To be Confirmed

Prof Anthony R. Pisani
International Keynote Speaker

Prof. Tony Pisani has devoted his career to preventing suicide and promoting wellbeing, combining research at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide at University of Rochester with practical implementation as founder of SafeSide Prevention. Author of more than 40 peer-reviewed papers and host of the Never the Same Podcast, his work spans research, education, and real-world implementation across healthcare, military, and community settings in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the US. Throughout his work, a central theme emerges: the power of social connections and mutual support, recognising that everyone has the capacity to give and to receive.

X.com @tonypisani
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-pisani/
Podcast: https://safesideprevention.com.au/podcast/never-the-same

Presenting: To be Confirmed