Supporting Young Disabled People's Mental Health

Mental health issues are not uncommon among young people with disabilities. And yet, when we encounter a disabled person experiencing poor mental health, our understanding and response is still limited by assumptions such as their disability is the root cause of the mental health issue rather than looking deeper.

Using up-to-date statistics, evidence-based support strategies and lived experience, this presentation aims to arm educators and support staff with the tools to help them become a changing force in the lives of the young people they work with.

PRESENTED BY KELLY VINCENT

Kelly Vincent was the Dignity Party representative in South Australian Parliament from 2010-2018. She was elected to the Legislative Council in 2010 in an event that made history. She is the youngest woman ever elected to an Australian parliament and the first Australian to be elected on the platform of disability rights.

Since her election in 2010, Kelly has championed many issues including access to justice, education and public transport, mental health and homelessness. She is an outspoken and respected advocate for people with disabilities and their family carers. Kelly is contacted by people in crisis on a daily basis. This is often due in part to the disproportionate chunk of their lives people with disabilities have to spend battling bureaucracy simply to gain fair access to the world. Kelly's goal is to make herself redundant. She says her goal will be realised when having a disability in Australia no longer constitutes a full-time job.Kelly is passionate about the rights and needs of people with disabilities, and is also a keen human rights advocate. Around her political career she likes to pursue some of her other interests which include theatre and an endless crusade to fix grammar mistakes.

Intended Audience:

Teachers/ educators / assistants and anyone interested in the wellbeing of children/ students with disability.

Participants will receive:

• A certificate of attendance referenced to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
• Afternoon tea is available.