For the third year, a group of Year 9 students applied to attend the Zero2Hero ‘In Your Head’ conference, held at Perth Convention Centre.

Zero2Hero is a WA-based charity initiated by Ashlee Harrison, which is dedicated to increasing the understanding of mental health issues and the awareness of mental health services among children and young people through innovative programmes, events, and education. They have various events to equip school-aged children and teenagers with the skills to speak up when they are struggling and the confidence to stand up and support their friends when they may be experiencing stress, anxiety or depression.

The programmes, which include the ‘In Your Head’ conference aim to unleash the heroes of today, to become the leaders of tomorrow in the campaign to promote good mental health throughout their communities.

700 students from across WA attended the day with some getting up as early as 5am to travel from Narrogin and Busselton. The Acknowledgement of Country was superbly presented in digeridoo music and dance from the Moorditj Mob (meaning strength and excellence) from Wesley School. The keynote sessions were introduced by actor Joel Jackson and included presentations in person and via Zoom from:

·       Andrew Fuller - Clinical psychologist and author.

·       Georgia Wilson - Hockeyroo, Zero2Hero Ambassador and Lifeline Community Custodian.

·       Kendall Whyte - Founder and CEO of The Blue Tree Project, 2019 Western Australian of the Year Youth Award finalist.

·       Lockie Cooke – Founder of Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness Foundation (ICEA) and IYARN, 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Students could choose their own breakout sessions which covered a wide range of topics including ‘social media and mental health’, ‘yoga and meditation’, ‘self-awareness: the importance of asking for help’, ‘exam stress and anxiety’, and ‘peak performance in sport’. It was an excellent day and we look forward to practising some of the advice and information from the presenters.

Zero2Hero run a variety of fully funded camps:

  • Camp Hero MHL (Mental Health Leadership)
  • Camp Hero SPORTS
  • Camp Hero RETREAT
  • Camp Hero 2.0 (Business & Entrepreneurship)
Please see their website: www.zero2hero.com.au if you wish to find out more.


Zero2Hero also run ‘The Red Cape Ball’ (because not all superheros wear capes) and this year it will be held on 7 November at Optus Stadium if any parents are interested.