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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Annual Research Review: Improving school climate to improve child and adolescent mental health and reduce inequalities

Much of the research around school mental health has focused on using schools as a setting to deliver new interventions to large numbers of young people. Increasingly however, research is shifting towards changing the school system itself to support student mental health and wellbeing, with a growing emphasis on improving school climate.

This article explores debates around the potential benefits and harms of school-based interventions, before focusing on school climate as a key target for mental health promotion and prevention.

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The prevalence of potentially traumatic events in childhood and associations with mental disorders, suicide and physical health in adulthood

This study estimated the population prevalence of exposure to potentially traumatic events during childhood, such as serious accidents, physical or sexual violence, and natural disasters among Australians, and examined their association with mental disorders, suicide, and long-term physical health conditions.

The findings illustrate the widespread and enduring impacts of childhood trauma and highlight the importance of early detection and intervention, trauma-informed healthcare, and coordinated policy and practice across health, education, and social service systems.

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Optimising the implementation of a universal web-based mental health service for Australian secondary schools

Secondary schools are increasingly delivering a range of mental health interventions with varying levels of success. This cluster randomised controlled trial examined the effectiveness of two implementation strategies, allocation of class time and provision of financial incentives, on secondary students’ engagement with Smooth Sailing, a universal web-based mental health service.

Findings from the trial highlight the challenges of optimising student engagement with digital mental health services in school settings and emphasise the importance of considering the broader school context when implementing such interventions.

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Efficacy of a school-based, universal prevention programme for depression and anxiety in adolescents

Adolescence is a critical period for the onset of mental health challenges. This study evaluated the effectiveness of OurFutures Mental Health, a school-based intervention designed to improve mental health knowledge and prevent symptoms of depression and anxiety among young people.

A two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted between 2023 and 2024. Findings suggest that OurFutures Mental Health is a promising intervention, with evidence of improved mental health knowledge and short-term reductions in anxiety symptoms among adolescents.

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