How To Think Differently About Mental Health

Professor Sonja March is the Director of the UniSQ Centre for Health Research and a Founding Chief Investigator of the Manna Institute – Australia’s leading regional mental health Institute. Sonja is a psychologist with over 20 years of experience developing innovative solutions to make mental health assessments and treatments more accessible to Australian families, especially those in regional, rural and remote Australia. Sonja was named Women in Technology’s Research Leader (Science) in 2020 for her work in child and adolescent mental health.

Bretine Curtis is the Executive Director of the Queensland Mental Health Commission, and works to drive reform of the mental health, alcohol and other drugs and suicide prevention systems and better outcomes for Queenslanders. She brings almost 30 years’ experience across health and social services, with a strong focus on systems and service improvement. Prior to joining the Commission, Bretine has also held senior leadership roles within Hospital and Health Services in mental health services, including in service development, operational and strategic planning, forensic mental health and primary health services.

Dr Luke Butcher has spent the past 15 years leading innovative and award-winning health, hospital and human services, including tertiary public hospitals, mental health drug and alcohol and offender rehabilitation services at executive levels in both government and non-government organisations. He brings particular expertise in regional, rural and remote service design and provision. Luke has published works on integrating peer support into mainstream mental health services, forensic risk assessment, and youth justice.

Dr Govind Krishnamoorthy is a clinical psychologist, educator, and mental health researcher focused on prevention and early intervention. He collaborates with health, education, and community sectors to develop integrated, equity-focused models of care that address social and historical determinants of mental health. His work challenges medicalised approaches and explores digital solutions through university-industry partnerships.

Professor Jeff Dunn is Chair of Cancer Survivorship at UniSQ and a Professor of Social and Behaviour Science. He is Chief of Mission at Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the former President of the Union for International Cancer Control (based in Geneva). Ranked among the top two per cent of scientists worldwide for oncology and clinical medicine by Stanford University, his research has been published in more than 200 publications. In 2014, Jeff was appointed an Officer in the Order of Australia for his contributions to cancer control. In 2025, Jeff was named a Queensland Great, recognised for more than four decades of life-changing service to the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders. Diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma in 2022, he continues to advocate for cancer survivors.