The Festival for Healthy Living (FHL), since 1998 has developed as an evidence based, innovative mental health promotion arts based initiative that builds the capacity of children, young people, families and communities to strengthen mental health and wellbeing. The program works through schools as core social centres to create links between schools, families and community services.

FHL works to address disadvantage in communities, spanning a breadth of adversity including bushfires, socio-economic disadvantage, drought, cultural and linguistic diversity issues and work with Koori communities. We will discuss FHL’s work in communities as well as the evidence and outcomes that have been achieved.

Paul Smith is currently the Acting Executive Director, Mental Health, Drugs and Regions Division in the Department of Health.

As well as mental health and alcohol and drugs, he has a strong background in community development, housing and homelessness, and has worked in the public and community sectors in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Far North Queensland and the UK.

Prof Rob Moodie is a Professor of Public Health and Director of Teaching and Learning at the University of Melbourne’s School of Population and Global Health. He teaches courses on public leadership and health promotion in Melbourne, Mozambique and South Asia. He now chairs the Federal Minister’s Men’s Health Reference Group, the Technical Advisory Panel of the Gates Foundation’s HIV prevention program in India and co-chairs the Australia-India Taskforce on Tobacco Control.

Other speakers:

Dr Ric Haslam, Director of RCH Mental Health Service

Harry Gelber, OAM, Manager of Community Development, RCH Mental Health Service

John Lane, State-wide Artistic Coordinator FHL program

Lea Trafford, School Community Partnerships Coordinator FHL Program.

The Royal Children’s Hospital – Mental Health

School Principals – Kevin Pope, Joe Mazzarella and Ana Rees

Students from Buxton Primary School