Bronwen EdwardsCEO & Founder, Roses in the OceanBronwen lost her brother Mark to suicide in 2008 after supporting
him for a number of years. In 2011, she founded ‘Roses in the Ocean’, a lead organisation for lived experience, which exists to save lives and reduce emotional pain by informing, influencing and enhancing suicide prevention through the lived experience. They also support organisations to effectively and meaningfully engage lived experience expertise. Bronwen has been a key advocate and driving force for the inclusion of lived experience in all aspects of suicide prevention since 2011 and is a Co-Chair of the Queensland Suicide Prevention in Health Taskforce. |
Justin GeangeMates in ConstuctionJustin Geange is a father, husband, singer, songwriter, actor, mascot, plumber but above all a lover of people and passionate about suicide prevention and starting that conversation.
A plumber by trade, Justin is an amazingly courageous man. Actually you probably know him. He has been the mascot for the Brisbane Broncos, NSW, QLD and even a swing as the Boxing Kangaroo. In August 2013 Justin attempted to take his own life. He is now on a mission to spread his story, so…. “Who knows, I may be able to help someone and ensure that their family does not have to go through the heart ache that I put my family through.” |
Stuart RawlinsFounder, Healthy Mind Healthy FutureUntil a few years ago I thought mental illness was something that other people had, something that I thought I knew a bit about and something I had dealt with a fair bit in my 13 years as a Detective in the Queensland Police Service.
My whole world changed when I was still a Police Officer and started noticing some symptoms of having a mental illness myself. So what did I do? The same thing that a lot of people with mental health conditions do........ I hid it! Where am I now with it all? Well I am now in a position in life where I am comfortable talking about it and I want to help others through their own mental health challenges. |
Ivan FrkovicCommissioner, Queensland Mental Health CommissionIvan Frkovic was appointed Commissioner from 1 July 2017 and brings substantial policy, academic and patient-centred experience to the role.
He was Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Operations for Aftercare, one of Australia’s oldest non-government mental health organisations. His responsibilities included leading Aftercare’s national operations and overseeing the development and implementation of new programs and services. Prior to his five years with Aftercare, Ivan held senior government positions including as Director, Mental Health Programs and Reforms in the Department of Communities, where he was responsible for policy development, funding and reform of the non-government mental health sector in Queensland. Ivan has worked extensively within the mental health system in Queensland for some 20 years, holding a number of senior positions across Government. He was also a director within the Mental Health Branch of Queensland Health where he led the Queensland Mental Health Commission Transition Team, which supported the establishment of the Commission. While in the mental health sector, Ivan has focused on realising the benefits of strengthening partnerships and collaboration, into fully integrated relationships. |