Dr Marlee Bower is a Senior Research Fellow at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney, and academic lead of the Youth Participation Project and Mentally Healthy Futures Project. Marlee’s research focuses on the social determinants of mental health, research-to-policy translation, and meaningful engagement of lived experience in research.

Dominik Mautner is a research assistant at the University of Sydney, studying 3 degrees (Medical Science, Law, Innovation) and peer reviewer and editor for an international medical journal. His research focus is on adolescent digital, mental, and physical health and preventable chronic diseases, working on national and international health projects.

Kailin Guo is a member of the Youth Mental Health Advisory Team at the Matilda Centre, University of Sydney, and final-year medical student in WA. She has contributed to multiple publications including a scoping review, youth perspective essay, and is the primary author on the Mentally Healthy Youth Participation Guidelines

Jesse, the projects Community Engagement Worker, uses extensive experience in youth engagement and mental health support to drive impactful suicide prevention initiatives. Felicity, the projects Co-design Coordinator, leads innovative strategies for the Youth Suicide Prevention Project, fostering collaborative solutions to enhance mental health support in the regional city of Ballarat.

Sonali is completing Honours at the Centre for Mental Health Research, where she investigates self-recognition and help-seeking for mental health conditions. A Lifeline telephone crisis supporter and member of the ACT CYMHSA YRG, Sonali contributes user-led insights to improve mental health outcomes for all, including those with diverse, intersectional backgrounds.

Brett is a clinical nurse consultant with over 10 years of experience in AYA healthcare.

Ruby Heffernan is a 19-year old studying a Bachelors of law and justice with a major in criminology and a minor in public health (with a focus in child and family counselling). Ruby has personal, lived and professional experience with disability, complex chronic health conditions and neurodiversity. She is also the accessibility coordinator for the project, 'We are not alone'. Ruby is passionate about youth justice, particularly working with disabled and/or neurodiverse young people to divert them away from the justice system and into more supportive and inclusive programs.