PRE-CONFERENCE MEETINGS & WORKSHOP

The Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders (APMD) Symposium and Scientific Meeting of the Mental Health Australian General Clinical Trials Network (MAGNET) will be held on Tuesday 24 November at the Conference venue. The pre-Conference workshop will be held offsite at Manawa. Bookings can be made via the Conference registration form.

Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders (APMD) Symposium

Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Time: 10:00am- 4:30pm
Venue/Room: Te Pae, Bealey Rooms 4 & 5
Cost: NZ$115 for SMHR-ASBDD Conference delegates (includes morning tea and lunch)

Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders (APMD) symposium will include interactive discussions focusing on the latest Australian research and policy relating to the prevention of mental disorders.

Confirmed speakers include:

Professor Maree Teesson, University of Sydney
Professor Tim Slade, University of Sydney
Professor Alison Calear, Australian National University
Maja Havrilova, Prevention United
Dr Joep van Agteren, Be Well Co
Dr Matthew Iasiello, Be Well Co

Others to be confirmed

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN

Submissions for the pre-Conference Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders symposium (held on Tuesday 23 November 2026 in Christchurch) are open until Friday 21 August 2026. We welcome abstracts on any research related to prevention and mental health promotion. Please email your 300-word abstracts directly to Katrina Champion at Katrina.champion@sydney.edu.au by Friday 21 August 2026. The template can be found here.

Scientific Meeting of the Mental Health Australian General Clinical Trials Network (MAGNET)

Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Time: 1:00pm- 5:00pm
Venue/Room: Te Pae, Bealey Room 3
Cost: Inclusive for SMHR-ASBDD Conference full delegates (includes afternoon tea)

Bringing together mental health clinicians, researchers, First Nations representatives and Lived Experience Research Partners to develop and strengthen the next generation of mental health clinical trials addressing major unmet needs.

Discover innovative trial concepts
Contribute to national collaboration
Engage in meaningful discussion
Build partnerships that drive real-world impact

Don’t miss your chance to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of mental health clinical trials!

Rhythms, Routines and Mood: Why Rhythms Matter in Bipolar Disorder - Translating circadian science into clinical practice

Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Time: 9:00am- 4:00pm
Venue: Manawa, 276 Antigua St (adjacent to University of Otago, Christchurch campus)
Cost: NZ$35 for SMHR-ASBDD Conference delegates (includes lunch)

Sponsored by

Why do changes in sleep, daily routines and social rhythms have such a profound impact on mood?

Growing evidence highlights the bidirectional relationship between sleep and circadian rhythm disruption and mood disorder. Because the circadian system plays a foundational role in regulating mood, integrating circadian-informed strategies into psychological treatments is powerful.

This interactive workshop weaves translational circadian science with practical clinical practice. It introduces Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based psychotherapy that targets the stabilisation of the biological and social rhythms underlying bipolar disorder. Participants will gain an understanding of the science underpinning IPSRT, how this informs the conceptualisation and treatment of bipolar disorder, and how its practical strategies can be incorporated into everyday clinical practice.

Designed to be highly interactive and practice-focused, the workshop combines evidence, clinical examples and practical exercises to help participants build confidence in applying circadian and rhythm informed principles and strategies with people living with bipolar disorder.

Participants will leave with:

An understanding of the circadian system, entrainment, and sleep and circadian rhythm disruption
an understanding of the theoretical and scientific foundations of IPSRT;
practical techniques that can be immediately incorporated into clinical practice; and
information about opportunities for further training, supervision and ongoing skill development.

Who should attend?
Clinicians from any professional background or level of experience who are interested in enhancing outcomes for people with bipolar disorder through an evidence-based, rhythm-focused intervention.

Facilitators
Dr Maree Inder is a Senior Research Fellow at the Dept of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, and an experienced researcher and clinician with expertise in circadian based interventions, notably Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders.

Dr Nicola Ludin is a Research Fellow in Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, specialising in clinical, digital, and public health chronobiology. Her research focuses on Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disruption (SCRD) in mood regulation, bringing expertise in translational circadian science to practical mental health interventions.