Our Youth Recovery Month online panel event on Thursday 23rd September delved into touchy and often taboo subjects surrounding youth addiction, mental health and wellbeing.
The topic of the online panel event was Touchy Subjects – does judgement limit young people’s potential?.
The event formed part of Sir David Martin Foundation’s new Don’t Judge Me awareness campaign to reduce stigma about youth drug and alcohol addiction.
The panel featured a fantastic lineup of guests who are all passionate about the health and wellbeing of young Australians, bringing invaluable clinical, sector and lived experience to the discussion.
Watch the full event recording
Our panelists
Jacinta Tynan – MC
Jacinta is a journalist, former news presenter, columnist, author and homeschooling mother of two. She writes a monthly column for Body+Soul and recently published her fifth book, The Single Mother’s Social Club – inspiration and advice on embracing single parenthood. Jacinta is also one of Australia’s most experienced news presenters, most recently with Sky News Australia. Passionate about social causes, Jacinta is patron of the Warrior Woman Foundation and an ambassador for Raise Foundation.[Photo credit: Jedd Cooney for Stellar magazine]
Dr Suzie Hudson
Suzie is the Clinical Director at the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies (NADA). She is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker with the Australian Association of Social Workers and has over 16 years clinical experience in the fields of substance misuse, mental health, forensics, research and evaluation.
Suzie has worked, developed and managed community-based and residential alcohol and drug services both in Australia and overseas. She has a PhD in Public Health and Community Medicine and a passion for engaging with social change.
Professor Dan Lubman AM
Dan is the Executive Clinical Director, Turning Point and Professor of Addiction Studies and Services, Monash University and has worked across mental health and drug treatment settings in the UK and Australia.
His research is wide-ranging and includes investigating the harms associated with alcohol, drugs and gambling, the impact of alcohol and drug use on brain function and the relationship between substance use, gambling and mental disorder. He featured prominently in landmark SBS series Addicted Australia and subsequent Rethink Addiction campaign.
Elli Reinhard
Elli is passionate about educating and raising awareness on issues affecting young people.
As a Peer Educator for Keep It Safe (KIS), Elli engages with people aged 12 to 24 around alcohol and other drugs minimization strategies and raises awareness on mental health issues.
Elli is Sir David Martin Foundation’s Youth Ambassador and brings valuable lived experience as a Triple Care Farm graduate to her role. Earlier this year Elli was named 2021 NSW/ACT Young Achiever (Health and Wellbeing) and is currently in her first year of a Forensic Science degree.
Lucy Stronach
Lucy is the current Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations.
Throughout 2021, Lucy has toured Australia to identify the concerns, needs and experiences of diverse and underrepresented young people, which she will present back to the Australian Government and UN General Assembly.
A graduate of studies in Criminology, Law, and Security, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism, Lucy is a passionate advocate for youth justice in both the domestic and international spheres.
Lucy continues to work in her key interest areas of Indigenous justice, gender-based crime prevention, penology, and evidence-based practice.
Steve Bastian
Indigenous youth mentor Steve is a proud Yorta Yorta man from Albion Park, NSW. In July 2021 he was awarded the prestigious Health Wellbeing and Community Services Student of the Year at the TAFE NSW Gilli Awards, which recognises Aboriginal student achievement.
Steve is now employed in the sector and is deeply passionate about mentoring at-risk Aboriginal children and teens to help them get the guidance he says he didn’t receive at the same age.
Don't Judge Me
Stigma, judgement and misinformation are major road blocks to young people and their families seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. Get involved today with our Don’t Judge Me campaign!
