Alcohol and Mental Health Symposium 2025

Alcohol Healthwatch are excited to be joining E Tipu E Rea Whānau Services, Takanga A Fohe, Le Va, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka | University of Otago, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, and the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD) deliver a symposium on alcohol and mental health.

The symposium will be an opportunity to identify key action areas for prevention and early intervention in this important area. Hosted by Aotearoa New Zealand's first-ever Minister for Mental Health, Hon. Matt Doocey, the time to act has never been better. We will be bringing a range of people together including those with lived experience, young people, professionals, and community champions from the wide range of sectors impacted by alcohol and mental health challenges.

This conference aims to:

• Hear from and build on promising practice in prevention, early intervention, and research.
• Facilitate meaningful relationships supporting the collective goal of taking action on the intersection between alcohol and mental health challenges.
• Produce an attendee-informed consensus statement reflecting people's experiences to guide future efforts in this space.

Speakers

We will have a topical conference programme forming a basis for concerted action; showcasing mahi already underway in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia and encouraging collective participation and collaboration.

Speakers include:

• Hon Matt Doocey, Minister of Mental Health
• Jehan Casinader, MC
• Zoe Hawke, E Tipu E Rea Whānau Services
• Kristie Cocotis, Health Program Director, Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) Australia
• Dr. Rose Crossin, Dr. Jude Ball, and Professor Joseph Boden, Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke | University of Otago
• Matua Pat Mohi, Mokoia Island
• Tom Devine, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

For more details and to reserve your spot head to the Alcohol and Mental Health Symposium 2025 website

Partnership with the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD)

As part of our symposium planning, Alcohol Healthwatch have been fortunate to form a partnership with APSAD (thank you to APSAD's New Zealand director, Dr Rose Crossin for the idea) for our upcoming symposium. The partnership includes the potential of a small travel grant ($200) for APSAD members to attend our symposium.

If you’d like to become a member of APSAD to take advantage of the travel grant, you can join here. We are keen to support travel to facilitate attendance from people who:

• Live outside Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington
• Have lived experience
• Can demonstrate a need for travel assistance

Already an APSAD member and in Aotearoa? Apply for a scholarship here.