{"id":202,"date":"2025-04-15T11:44:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T11:44:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.test.worldsafety.co.za\/?page_id=202"},"modified":"2025-10-23T11:58:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T11:58:45","slug":"advisory-committee","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/advisory-committee\/","title":{"rendered":"Advisory-committee"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"202\" class=\"elementor elementor-202\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9a9364 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a9a9364\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-064b7ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"064b7ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advisory-committee<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c3aa10 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing 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height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 24 24&#039; fill=&#039;black&#039; stroke=&#039;none&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M24,8v12H0V8H24z M24,4v1H0V4H24z&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2d81bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c2d81bd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d583447 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d583447\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0506718 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0506718\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-508\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5192bc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f5192bc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-286024f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"286024f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prof. Jason Bantjes<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54711f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"54711f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 05-08-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Conference Chair<br \/>Chief Specialist Scientist<br \/>South African Medical<br \/>Research Council<br \/>(SAMRC)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c068a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9c068a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Message from the Chair<\/strong><\/p><p>Since the mid-20th century, thousands of randomized controlled trials have helped<br \/>us build an evidence base for treating and managing mental disorders. We&#8217;ve also<br \/>made great strides in understanding the complex interplay of social, economic,<br \/>political, and biological determinants of mental health. Despite this, the real-world<br \/>application of this knowledge\u2014especially in low- and middle-income countries like<br \/>South Africa\u2014has lagged dangerously behind.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc75216 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fc75216\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a101d04 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a101d04\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87f980e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87f980e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We know what works. We know why it matters. The question now is: Why aren\u2019t we acting fast enough?<\/p><p>If you&#8217;re reading this, chances are you\u2019re one of the few who not only understand the depth of the mental health crisis but feel compelled to be part of the solution.<br \/>And that puts you in powerful company. A growing movement\u2014of scientists, practitioners, people with lived experience, policymakers and advocates\u2014is forming. This conference is your chance to join them.<\/p><p>What will it take to close South Africa\u2019s mental health treatment gap? How do we transform strong evidence into bold, sustained action? What frameworks, partnerships, and funding models are needed to make mental health care accessible, equitable, and culturally relevant? These are not rhetorical questions. They are urgent, and they demand your insights, your energy, and your leadership. The 2nd National Mental Health Conference is more than just a meeting. It is a defining moment\u2014a shared commitment to move beyond talk and into transformation. We need rigorous science, yes\u2014but also imaginative thinking, courageous leadership, and cross-sectoral collaboration. Most of all, we need people like you to show up, speak out, and help shape the path forward.<\/p><p>You have a unique perspective. Your voice matters. And your absence will be felt. Please join us if you believe, as we do, that South Africa cannot afford another year of dragging its feet. The time for bold evidence-informed action is now\u2014and this is where it begins.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af32ea1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"af32ea1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0214e7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f0214e7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50249f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50249f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Anita Padmanabhanunni <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f10261e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f10261e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Anita Padmanabhanunni is a Professor of Psychology and the Dean of the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. She holds a PhD in Psychology and a Master\u2019s degree in Counselling Psychology from Rhodes University. Prof. Padmanabhanunni is a National Research Foundation C2-rated researcher, recognized for her established track record in mental health research focusing on trauma, PTSD and promoting psychological resilience. She is an active member of the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Association of South Africa and an advocate for the integration of evidence-based mental health care into broader health systems.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea99dbe e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ea99dbe\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2279d8c elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2279d8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-507\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da3b61f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"da3b61f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6a03f1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e6a03f1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aca7592 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aca7592\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-511\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3c227f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b3c227f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da1adb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"da1adb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prof Bronwyn\u00e8 Coetzee<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e779351 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e779351\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Prof Bronwyn\u00e8 Coetzee is an Associate Professor of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, at Stellenbosch University where she teaches and conducts research and supervision. Her research interests lie at the nexus of health psychology and mental health. Her current research focus is on developing and evaluating scalable, contextually relevant school-based mental health interventions for young people and their caregivers. She is a Y1-rated NRF researcher (2024\u20132029), a member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), and an executive member of the Psychological Society of South Africa\u2019s Division for Research and Methodology.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6f8d23 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d6f8d23\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbaf486 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cbaf486\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2aada86 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2aada86\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bharti Patel<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d4f99b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d4f99b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bharti Patel is a mental health advocate with over 20 years\u2019 experience in community-based mental health. She is currently the National Executive Director of the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH and passionate about the rights of persons with mental health conditions and promoting mental wellbeing.<\/p><p>She was appointed to serve on the first Mental Health Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) 2013-2020 and serving a second term advocating and providing oversight on the implementation of the Mental Health Policy Framework 2023-2030.<\/p><p>She has a master\u2019s degree in Disability Rights in Africa and serves on various mental health policy and legislation committees.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74aab6c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"74aab6c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31f5fcf elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"31f5fcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-510\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/4-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3888f60 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3888f60\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e39853a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e39853a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dbbf53b elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dbbf53b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-509\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/5-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c66e83e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c66e83e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3663c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d3663c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Nokuthula Mdaka<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3c61fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3c61fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Nokuthula Mdaka is currently the Head of Clinical Unit for the District Specialist Mental Health Team in the West Rand Health District and a lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand\u2019s Department of Psychiatry. Her areas of interest include public mental health with a particular focus on the prevention of mental illness in the in vulnerable populations and the prevention of disability among psychiatric patients. She obtained a Diploma in Public Health from the University of Pretoria 2024 and an Advanced Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation with the Foundation for Professional Development in 2025. She is the current National Convenor for the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cff700 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9cff700\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-972b1f4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"972b1f4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69fc1cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"69fc1cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Dr Wylene Saal<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-486c496 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"486c496\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dr Wylene Saal is currently a senior lecturer in Psychology at Sol Plaatje University. She holds a PhD in Research Psychology from the University of Stellenbosch, and her work focused on common mental disorders (i.e., major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder) among people seeking HIV testing in the Western Cape. Prior to this, she worked as a Research Officer at the Centre for Social Science Research, University of Cape Town. Dr Saal recently focused on research exploring suicidality, stigma, gender-based violence, and mental health among adolescents living with HIV and\/ or adolescent mothers. Her research interests include adolescent mental health, maternal mental health, HIV, research methodology and health psychology.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8140534 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8140534\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3172f1f elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3172f1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-512\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/6-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-630c2d0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"630c2d0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79abf99 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"79abf99\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56a7f09 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"56a7f09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-513\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/7-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f14a37b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f14a37b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c79e9f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5c79e9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Cassey Chambers<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e465d09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e465d09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Cassey started at The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) as a volunteer telephone counsellor in the call center helping to man the Suicide Crisis Helpline over 19 years ago. Later, she ran the Call Center and Press, and currently is Operations Director and Board Member. Cassey represents SADAG at national and international conferences, various press and media interviews, workshops and advocacy projects to help fight for patients\u2019 rights and destigmatize mental health across the country. Focusing on various projects including Teen Suicide Prevention School Programme, Rural Outreach Projects, Support Groups, Responsible Reporting initiatives with press and media, Mental Health in the Workplace and advocacy projects including the Life Esidimeni crisis and Medical Aids.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65e01b9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"65e01b9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5d78dc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d5d78dc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e2df51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3e2df51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ms Cl\u03acudia Sartor<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a79c009 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a79c009\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Claudia Sartor is Deputy CEO at the Global Mental Health Peer Network and a global advocacy leader in lived experience, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She leads GMHPN\u2019s Experts by Experience Consultancy Services Unit, which centres lived experience in service delivery and stakeholder engagement. Her work focuses on integrating lived experience into research, advocacy, and mental health systems globally. Claudia also lectures internationally and contributes to key publications promoting the value of lived experience in global mental health. Her interests lie in holistic wellness, recovery, and improving mental health practices.\u202f\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff6bd2c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ff6bd2c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5391261 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5391261\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/8-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-514\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/8-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/8-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7806f2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d7806f2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94f52aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"94f52aa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f6f8b9 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8f6f8b9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/9-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-515\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/9-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/9-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85a7793 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85a7793\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-720a9af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"720a9af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bonga Chiliza<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1a2724 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1a2724\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">B<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">onga<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> Chiliza<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">an Associate Professor<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">and <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">, in Durban, South Africa<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">He <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">the Editor <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">in Chief <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">of the South African Journal of Psychiatry<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">President<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">of the African College of Neuropsychopharmacology (<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW137836340 BCX0\">AfCNP<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">)<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">and Directo<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">r<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> of the Africa Global Mental Health Institute<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> (AGMHI)<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">He completed his <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">medical degree and psychiatry specialization at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and his <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">PhD at Stellenbosch University. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">His research interests <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">include psychosis, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">trauma<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> and global mental health.<\/span> <span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">Prof<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> Chiliza has received <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">several<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> awards<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> from South African institutions<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">, and research grants from<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> national and<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> international funding agencies<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">. <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">He has published more than 12<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\">5<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW137836340 BCX0\"> peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d832915 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d832915\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-891ff68 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"891ff68\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a95ba5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a95ba5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rizwana Roomaney<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62aea92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62aea92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Rizwana Roomaney is a research psychologist and associate professor in the department of psychology at Stellenbosch University. Most of her research is conducted in the field of health psychology. She supervises Masters and Doctoral students and teaches research methodology. She is the national delegate for South Africa at the European Health Psychology Society and is the chair of the Health Psychology Division of the Psychological Society of South Africa. Prof Roomaney is an NRF Y1 rated researcher and has obtained several research grants. She is currently a fellow of the EUTPOPIA Young Leadership Academy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf54ff4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf54ff4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b641f4d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b641f4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-516\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56d6435 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"56d6435\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a60fa05 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a60fa05\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-060a5de elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"060a5de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-517\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/11-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bf0c33 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3bf0c33\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-376a3a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"376a3a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prof Ryan Wagner<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e73b40 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e73b40\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun Highlight SCXW179351340 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">I am<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\"> a Re<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">ader<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">\/Associate Professor with <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">. As<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\"> a physician and epidemiologist with training in health economics<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">, I am <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">currently completing a neurology residency program at Barrow Neurological Institute<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\"> (Phoenix, USA)<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">. I hold a PhD in Medicine (<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed SCXW179351340 BCX0\">Ume\u00e5<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\"> University, Global Public Health, 2016). My <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">research interests, spanning <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">nearly two<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\"> decades of work in rural South Africa, focus on <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179351340 BCX0\">defining and improving mental and neurological health outcomes among underserved populations and includes collaborative research with traditional healers.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW179351340 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-04a074c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"04a074c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd1baf4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cd1baf4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d5a4ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9d5a4ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ASSOC PROF TARA CARNEY <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6a5d5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b6a5d5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Assoc Prof Tara Carney is employed as a Specialist Scientist (seasoned) in the Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She has a PhD from Psychiatry and Mental Health Department from the University of Cape Town, where she is an honorary associate professor and teaches various postgraduate and Masters-level courses and is also a senior research associate at the Department of Psychology, University of Johannesburg. She supervises students at both Master and PhD level.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">She is an associate editor for PLOS Global Health, as well as\u202f BMC Public Health as well as a C-rated NRF researcher and currently leads six internationally-funded studies in the Western Cape.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Her research interests include the relationship between substance use and health (including well-being as well as disease in terms of health outcomes), as well as biobehavioural interventions for substance use and mental health among adolescents and young people, including significant others such as peers, main caregivers and main partners.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17e4b47 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"17e4b47\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dd7c55 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0dd7c55\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/12-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-519\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/12-2.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/12-2-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ceada1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9ceada1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2889452 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2889452\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea40c8b elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ea40c8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/13-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-518\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/13-2.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/13-2-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-336d59e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"336d59e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e375f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e375f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Professor Xanthe Hunt <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d9058a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d9058a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW93648447 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-ZA\" xml:lang=\"EN-ZA\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW93648447 BCX0\">Professor Xanthe Hunt is a member of faculty at Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), an associate professor of global health at Stellenbosch University, and an honorary specialist scientist at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). At AHRI, she is <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed SCXW93648447 BCX0\">the\u202f Mental<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW93648447 BCX0\"> Health lead, and runs a programme focussed on adolescent mental health. Xanthe holds a PhD in psychology from Stellenbosch University and has postgraduate training from Harvard and Stellenbosch Universities in epidemiology, biostatistics, and research methods. Her <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW93648447 BCX0\">expertise<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW93648447 BCX0\"> is in mental health, violence prevention and intervention, climate and health, and disability. Her current projects focus on using longitudinal datasets to understand the mechanisms of poor mental health in young people.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW93648447 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fe847a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1fe847a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-553d4be e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"553d4be\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67bcc45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"67bcc45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Prof Neo Morojele<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80de6f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"80de6f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Prof Neo Morojele is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Johannesburg. Her research interests include alcohol consumption, HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy adherence among people with HIV; and access to treatment for substance use disorders in South Africa. She serves on various journal editorial boards including as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research; Associate Editor for Africa for the Journal of Substance Use; and Associate Editor of the African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies. She is the President of the International Society of Addiction Journal Editors (ISAJE) and a member of the International Confederation of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Research Associations (ICARA). She was a member of the World Health Organization\u2019s (WHO) Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (STAG-MNS) from 2022-2024.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5ca2a6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d5ca2a6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d890e1 elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5d890e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInRight&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-777\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76da617 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"76da617\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21d0e51 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"21d0e51\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-086012b elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"086012b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInLeft&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-781\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3-1.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/6-3-1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e77904 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0e77904\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee6203d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ee6203d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Professor Goodman Sibeko<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44df394 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"44df394\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Associate Professor Goodman Sibeko is a medical doctor with specialist psychiatric training and a PhD in Psychiatry from the University of Cape Town. He serves as Head of the Division of Addiction Psychiatry at UCT, where he leans and contributes to postgraduate teaching at diploma, master\u2019s, and doctoral levels, and as Director and Principal Investigator of the South Africa International Technology Transfer Centre (ITTC), a regional hub supporting drug demand reduction policy and practice. The ITTC, previously funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Colombo Plan, leads national and regional efforts to expand evidence-based interventions and strengthen responses to substance use through policy translation and capacity building.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9d80ba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d9d80ba\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b62fde8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b62fde8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5179be7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5179be7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">A\/Prof Sibeko is also the Global Scientific Advisor to the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP), providing strategic and technical leadership to promote evidence-based practices across prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery globally. His work spans substance use, public mental health, and implementation science, with a particular focus on task-sharing models and community-based interventions for the integrated management of substance use, mental illness, and HIV. He has led several national and regional policy development initiatives, including in collaboration with the African Union, and chaired the 2021 International Addiction Conference, bringing together global stakeholders to advance multidisciplinary approaches to care. He maintains a robust international research and implementation network, advancing innovative, equitable, and scalable solutions for the intersecting public health challenges of mental illness and substance use.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advisory-committee Prof. Jason Bantjes Conference ChairChief Specialist ScientistSouth African MedicalResearch Council(SAMRC) Message from the Chair Since the mid-20th century, thousands of randomized controlled trials have helpedus build an evidence base for treating and managing mental disorders. We&#8217;ve alsomade great strides in understanding the complex interplay of social, economic,political, and biological determinants of mental health. Despite [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-202","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=202"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":790,"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/202\/revisions\/790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mentalhealthconference.co.za\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}