Overview
This theme brings together Mauritian and Australian practitioners to address two deeply interconnected public health challenges affecting young people today: substance use and suicide risk. Like many other countries, Australia and Mauritius are witnessing a concerning rise in inappropriate substance use among 18–24-year-olds, with synthetic drugs posing an increasing threat to youth wellbeing. At the same time, suicide risk among adolescents and young adults remains a critical but often under-discussed mental health concern.
Using an integrated, prevention-focused, and practice-based approach, this session will explore early identification, risk factors, community-level responses, and evidence-based intervention strategies. The programme will combine clinical perspectives, community-based approaches, and service-delivery insights to support youth-centred prevention, early intervention, and recovery pathways.
Who Should Attend?
This theme is ideal for psychologists, counsellors, social workers, nurses, educators, youth workers, NGO practitioners, public health professionals, medical practitioners, policymakers, and healthcare leaders involved in adolescent and young adult wellbeing, mental health, and substance-use prevention.
What You'll experience?
Over the course of three hours, the audience will experience four focused presentations followed by an integrated panel discussion. The programme will cover patterns and risks of youth substance use, early warning signs, evidence-based prevention models, community and clinical intervention strategies, and applied approaches to suicide risk prevention and response. The session is designed to foster multidisciplinary dialogue and to support practical knowledge transfer into professional settings.
Why Attend this Session?
Attending this session will provide participants with a comprehensive, applied understanding of how substance misuse and suicide risk intersect in young populations. You will gain practical tools for early detection, prevention, and intervention, informed by current research and frontline clinical experience. The session emphasizes real-world application, youth-centred care, and multidisciplinary collaboration, making it highly relevant for professionals working directly or indirectly with young people.
What you will gain?
Delegates will leave the session with:
- An understanding of current substance-use trends among Mauritian and Australian youth and the growing risks associated with synthetic drugs.
- Practical strategies to recognise early signs of substance misuse and suicide risk in adolescents and young adults.
- Evidence-informed prevention and early-intervention approaches that can be applied in schools, communities, and clinical settings.
- Insights into youth-centred support and recovery pathways.
- A multidisciplinary perspective on how mental-health practitioners, educators, NGOs, and healthcare systems can collaborate in suicide- and substance-use prevention.
- Context-relevant ideas for strengthening youth mental-health services and prevention frameworks.
Speakers
Ms. Stella Ramloll
Lecturer - PhD Candidate (Curtin University)
Forum Facilitator
Dr Emilie Rivet
PhD Psychology Sydney University Clinical Psychologist COO of Konekte Mauritius
Speaker
Professor Rosanna Rooney
PhD Professor of Psychology, Curtin University (Australia) and Clinical Psychologist
Speaker
Lana Simpson
Clinical Neuropsychologist, NSW Health Dept
Speaker
Ms Nabhila Schaik Hossen
Lecturer in Health Sciences, CTE PhD Candidate Curtin University
Speaker
