From Wednesday 10th September to Friday 12th September 2008 more than 800 delegates attended 85 sessions at the Margins to Mainstream conference in Melbourne, Australia.
The conference succeeded in its aim of generating worldwide support and knowledge exchange for mental health promotion and prevention, by bringing together representatives from over 40 countries worldwide, and stimulating State, National and International collaboration to advance research, policy and practice endeavours, with the outcome of The Melbourne Charter.
Over 380 papers were presented over the three day period that also included an expansive arts and culture program with performances from, but not limited to: The Choir of Hard Knocks, Anti Racism Action Band (A.R.A.B), Ilbijerri, and the Bi-Polar Bears.
You can find most of the conference presentation PowerPoints here.
VicHealth, The Carter Centre, The Clifford Beers Foundation and the World Federation for Mental Health would like to thank the generosity of all sponsors who made the conference possible as well as the speakers, delegates and performers who brought the conference to life.
To come on this website in the following months:
Coming Soon:
- A report on The Melbourne Charter
- The February version of the VicHealth Letter dedicated to conference material
- Conference photos
Coming in February/March 2009:
- The VicHealth Letter will be sent out to all delegates
- An update on The Melbourne Charter
A major driving force and outcome of this conference was the development of The Melbourne Charter for Mental Health Promotion and Prevention which reflects core principles recommended and ratified by the delegates of the conference.
This Charter will build on work led by the Commonwealth Government and will contribute to an ongoing global alliance in mental health promotion and prevention. The Charter will strengthen the coalitions built between diverse sectors and settings during the conference.
The Melbourne Charter
 Dr Rob Moodie Nossal Institute for Global Health University of Melbourne  |
 Prof. Helen Herrman ORYGEN Research Centre University of Melbourne  |
