Information on Speakers

N M Conference 2010 programme (55 KB)

Network Mosaic Conference 2010 Programme

55Kb PDF

Louisa Wall

Principal Advisor to the Children’s Commissioner

Louisa Wall (Ngati Tuwharetoa me Waikato) is a Principal Advisor to the Children’s Commissioner, based at the Auckland Office and she has primary responsibility for the health sector.  Louisa has a Master of Philosophy, Social Policy from Massey University and has extensive experience in the health sector. Previously she has worked as Manager Maori Health Research at the Health Research Council of NZ, and was a Programme Manager within Te Kahui Ora, in the funding and planning team at CMDHB.  Louisa is currently a member of the AUT Ethics Committee and has previously been a member of ACC and SPARC’s Maori advisory boards. Louisa has a background in mental health, working for Pathways Trust initially as a recreation consultant then as a care coordinator before embarking on her Bachelor of Social Policy and Social Work.

Elizabeth Fudge

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

Elizabeth Fudge
Elizabeth is currently the Project Manager for the Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI) national initiative being undertaken by the Australian Infant Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association with funding from the Australian Government. She has held the position since its inception in early 2002.
Elizabeth is passionate about better outcomes for children and families where a parent experiences poor mental health and also about linking workers, organisations, consumers and carers together to learn from each other - and to avoid ‘reinventing wheels'. 

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

COPMI provide information for family members across Australia where a parent has a mental illness and for people who care for and work with them. The website is one tool we use to deliver this information. We also work with the media, researchers, educators, service organisations, consumers, carers and others.
The COPMI initiative is being undertaken by the Australian Infant Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health Association (AICAFMHA) with funding from the Australian Government. The overall aim of the Australian COPMI initiative is to promote better mental health outcomes for children (0 - 18 years) of parents with a mental health problem or disorder.

Tracy Seawright

Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI)

Tracy Seawright is an Occupational Therapist with a professional background in adult and adolescent mental health, and a passion for early intervention, service development, group work and supporting families. She is one of 14 FaPMI Coordinators (Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness ) working across adult mental health services in Victoria, Australia. Tracy has been in this position for the past 18 months and is keen to share learning from the role out of the Victorian FaPMI Development Strategy over the past 2 ½ years

FaPMI (Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness)

A Service Development Strategy for Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI) in 2007. Projects aimed to increase resilience and social connectedness of children and young people with a parent with a mental illness, reduce stigma associated with mental illness, and enhance community capacity to assist these families through partnerships between sectors and services, peer support programs, work force development and whole of community education. The FaPMI Strategy builds on these objectives by establishing a number of positions that work with mental health services, community organizations, consumers, carers and families, and other service providers to improve the way support is provided to families and children where a parent has a mental illness. The aim is to develop family focused services working together to support these families including children aged 0-18. 

Natalie Heijm

Supporting Families in Mental Illness (SFMI) Auckland

Natalie Heijm joined Supporting Families in Mental Illness (SFMI) Auckland as a Family / Whanau Fieldworker in February 2010.  She has a background in working with children whose families’ experience mental health and drug / alcohol issues and in group facilitation.  Natalie was delighted to be offered the opportunity to help in setting up SFMI Auckland’s first peer support group for children with a parent, family / whanau member with a mental illness. 

Linda Karlin

Skylight

Linda Karlin is Skylight’s new Counselling and Training Manager. Her professional experience, alongside her academic background, make her a perfect fit for Skylight. Linda brings expertise in strategic development, service design, and relationship building, spreading across a wide range of environments. She has a strong background in children’s and youth-related services, including counselling, education and health support services.  

Linda’s qualifications include Master’s degrees in Social Work, Public Health and Education. She has developed and implemented counselling and school-based support programmes in the United States and New Zealand. Her passion for children and her professional commitment to advocating for and improving services for young people and their families is a welcomed addition to Skylight, and she is thrilled to join the management team.

Seema Woollaston

Kari Centre

Seema Woollaston is a Registered Social Worker at Kari Centre, Auckland District Health Board. Her role since 2008 has been Coordinator of the Tu Tangata Tonu Project for supporting children in families where there is parental mental illness. In addition to a strong interest in working with children and families, Seema has a particular interest in migrant families, and systemic approaches to working with families and Services. She has previously worked in child protection, and has worked in Child & Adolescent Mental Health for the past 10 years. Seema holds an Applied Masters in Social Work.  

Luci Falconer

Kari Centre

Luci Falconer holds a Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Auckland. She is a registered clinical psychologist and has been employed at the Kari Centre since 2004. She is currently the Clinical Services Co-ordinator for the Tu Tangata Tonu project and is passionate about developing a broad based service for these families and supporting education and service development in this area. Luci has a particular interest in working with parents to develop their confidence and help balance the demands of parenting and living with mental health difficulties