Symposium recap: Lessons from the Bondi Junction Inquest
- Feb 28
- 1 min read
On Saturday, the Australian Society of Psychiatrists (ASoP) hosted a sold-out symposium reflecting on the findings of the Bondi Junction Inquest and asking a simple question: where to next?
The theme that echoed throughout the day was clear: we cannot let another report gather dust.
For decades, mental health care in Australia has been examined, reviewed and reported on. Too often, tragedy is followed by attention — and then a drift back to 'business as usual'.
The opening address from Elizabeth Young was extraordinary. She wove together the milestones of her daughter Jade's life — her growth, her promise — with the uncomfortable truth that while young lives move forward, our mental health reform too often slips backwards or stalls in inertia. You could hear a pin drop.
The engagement across the day was remarkable — clinicians, lived-experience advocates, carers, policymakers and media leaning into the hard questions. The collective wisdom in the room was formidable.
ASoP was formed to advocate for meaningful, systemic reform for people with severe and complex mental illness.
Saturday was not just reflection. It was resolve.
Thank you to all our brilliant speakers and the most engaged audience we've ever encountered at a symposium for the courage to tackle some big questions. Watch some of the highlights from the day below.
