Working with children, young people and families following community-wide disasters: Lessons learned

This webinar will be presented by Professor Vanessa Cobham.

Professor Vanessa Cobham is a Clinical Psychologist holding research and clinical appointments respectively within the School of Psychology, University of Queensland, and within Children’s Health Queensland’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service. Professor Cobham is a global leader in child and adolescent mental health (>30 years’ experience), with expertise in the fields of emotional disorders (anxiety and depression), parenting, post-traumatic mental health, community-wide trauma, consumer co-design, and the interface between physical and mental health. She has published and presented her research in these areas widely. Since 2006, Professor Cobham has been seconded on several occasions to direct Child and Adolescent mental health responses following different Australian disasters. She has also been involved in providing consultation to government and training to clinicians both nationally and internationally following natural and man-made disasters; and her research has been cited in national and international government policy documents.

By the end of this webinar, attendees will have an improved understanding of:

• The prevalence of, and risk factors for PTSD among children and young people exposed to disaster
• The specific risk factor of parent-child communication post-disaster
• The stepped care model deployed in child and youth post-disaster mental health responses led by the presenter