Society for Mental Health Research Joint Conference 2026

The Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) and the Australasian Society for Bipolar and Depressive Disorders (ASBDD) 2026 conference ‘Weaving Connection and Knowledge‘ will take place on 25-27th November 2026 at Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand.

This conference will focus on connecting perspectives and sharing knowledge between both Indigenous and Western scientific approaches to improve mental health outcomes.

Call for Abstracts is now open until 11 May 2026. Submit your abstract and explore further details below.

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Baseline findings from Study 1 of a longitudinal co-evaluation of the Live4Life adolescent mental health promotion model in regional Victoria, Australia

The Live4Life model, developed by Youth Live4Life, is a mental health promotion and suicide prevention program designed for adolescents in rural and regional Australian communities. The program combines delivery of Mental Health First Aid education with youth leadership, mental health advocacy, and community-tailored mentorship and implementation.

This paper presents baseline findings from the Live4Life co-evaluation, outlining cohort demographics and initial mental health indicators. These insights establish a foundation for future longitudinal analyses.

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Social connection as a key target for youth mental health

It is well established that positive social connections play a critical role in supporting mental health and promoting wellbeing. During adolescence, connections with peers and school communities become increasingly influential as the importance of peer relationships continues to grow.

This paper highlights evidence across two key domains of social connection: peer relationships and school connectedness, with both domains influencing young people’s wellbeing. The paper suggests that approaches that strengthen these connections hold significant promise for improving youth mental health.

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Ealy-life protective factors for adolescent self-harm and suicidality: A longitudinal cohort study in Australia

Suicide and self-harm are serious public health concerns that can emerge during childhood and adolescence. While much of the existing research has focused on identifying risk factors, less attention has been given to the protective factors that support mental wellbeing.

In this study, researchers examined the type and timing of early-life factors that may help protect against self-harm and suicidality during adolescence. The findings suggest protective factors change as children grow and develop, highlighting the importance of timing when designing policies and interventions.

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A Delphi consensus study on the dimensions of positive mental health

Inconsistent use of terms such as positive mental health, flourishing, and mental wellbeing across disciplines limits reliable measurement, intervention design, and policy development. In this study, researchers aimed to gather a consensus on a preliminary taxonomy of positive mental health dimensions using the Delphi method.

Six dimensions reached over 90% agreement across experts from 11 relevant disciplines: meaning and purpose, life satisfaction, self-acceptance, connection, autonomy, and happiness.

This taxonomy supports more consistent conceptualisation and greater cross-disciplinary alignment, helping to strengthen the development of interventions and policy.

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