Ally Kelly is the CEO and founder of Mind Blank, a health promotion charity which aims to reduce the risk of suicide through interactive theatre. Ally has been at the helm of the unique charity for the past eight years, and her award-winning programs have directly impacted over 30,000 young Australians.
Ally’s qualifications include: Master of Arts Majoring in Research in Social Justice, Social Inequality and Humanitarian affairs at the Griffith University; Griffith Award for Academic Excellence 2018. Bachelor Creative Arts 2010 University of Wollongong.
Ally’s personal experience with mental health struggles and family experience with suicidal behaviour has fuelled her passion for mental health awareness. As a young person at school, Ally knew that services were available to help, but did not know how to ask for help, and realised the importance of promoting help-seeking methods and making the discussion about mental health and suicide prevention one that is accessible, inclusive and engaging.
In response, Ally created Mind Blank in 2011 to reduce the risk of suicide in Australia through interactive performances in schools and communities, in line with priorities including better awareness, prevention, promotion of help-seeking, and early intervention in relation to suicide prevention. The use of fully-interactive forum theatre to impact tens of thousands on a personal level makes Mind Blank the only one of its kind.
Keynote topics include:
– Founders Journey – Being a Young Female CEO
– How to Cope With a Mental Illness in the Family
– Raising Awareness about Mental and Emotional Health in
Teenagers
– Leading the New Generation
– Sustainable Community Development – Health Promotional and the
Arts
– Workers Mental Health and WH&S Legislation
– Finding Your Purpose
Corporate Functions/Events:
Clayton Utz
ANZ HQ
Public Sector Executive Assistance Congress
Origin Energy
Business Networks:
Junior Chamber International
Everton Park NOW Business Building Community.
Business Woman Connecting
The Woman’s Business School
Health and Community:
Wesley Lifeforce
Australian Psychology Society
Multicultural Youth Affairs Network Meeting – MYAN NSW
Onfire NSW
Blue Mountains Mental Health Shared Care Committee
Grafton My Healthy Clarence Forum
National Suicide Prevention Conference
Mental Health Service Conference
Department of Family and Community Services Kempsey NSW
Mental Health Expo Brisbane
Dramatherapy Australia
Out of the Shadows Walk – Goulburn
Give a Mate a Hand- Mental Health Matters – Camden NSW
Canberra Community Mental Health Education Forum
Penrith Suicide Prevention Awareness Walk
Wollongong Mental Health Education Forum
Youth Related Events:
Elevate Young Leaders Forum
RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
University of Wollongong
Student for Student National Leadership Conference
Lead Conference Catholic Education Office
University of Queensland