The Organising Committee is excited to announce Allan Sparkes CV, VA, beyondblue Ambassador & Suicide Prevention Advocate as a Keynote Speaker for this years conference.
Allan Sparkes CV,VA is one of only 5 Australians in the past 40 years to be awarded the Cross of Valour, Australia's highest decoration for bravery. He is also one of 10 Australians to be presented the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, the holder of the NSW Police Force Valour Medal and the Royal Humane Society Galleghan Award.
After 20 years as a front line Police Officer in the New South Wales Police Force, his career ended due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder coupled with a major depressive disorder. Suicidal and his life in tatters, he set about to re-establish his life. His recovery involved intensive psychotherapy, medication and determined effort. In 2009, with his wife and two young daughters, he set out to achieve a life- long goal and re-build his life, setting off in a yacht from England and sailing 16,000 nautical miles back to Australia.
Allan is a member of the National Leadership Group of Suicide Prevention Australia, a beyondblue Ambassador, a Soldier On Ambassador, an Inspirational Speaker and author. Allan also assists with the NSW Police Mental Health Intervention Team, the NSW Police Post Trauma Support Group.
Allan's belief is there is a critical need for a more concentrated and proactive approach to suicide, PTSD and associated mental illnesses in our Police Forces, Emergency Services and Australian Defence Forces.
Broader education and knowledge are vital to maintain the health, wellbeing and careers of the people who are critical to our society.
To register for the conference, please visit www.anzmh.asn.au/conference.