Youth suicide prevention event comes to Coffs Harbour

STAND TALL’S youth suicide prevention conferences are coming to Coffs Harbour for the first time in early March, with two days of sold-out events.

Founded in 2012 by three mothers in response to alarming statistics around youth suicide, self-harm and mental ill-health in Australia, Stand Tall has grown into a nationally recognised not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of young people.

The organisation now delivers large-scale wellbeing events for high school students (Years 7–12), featuring world-class speakers who share powerful stories of resilience, hope, and overcoming adversity.

Hundreds of Coffs Harbour students will join the events, featuring five internationally-recognised speakers.

Stand Tall CEO and co-founder Angela Farr-Jones said, “Young people need hope more than ever before.

“We see time and time again the difference this event makes, and we can’t wait to share it with the Coffs Harbour community.”

A key speaker is Leila Abdallah, who will share how she changed her mindset after she lost three of her children to a drunk and drugged driver.

Together with her husband Danny, her decision to forgive the driver captured national attention and inspired Australians across the country.

Leila is now a powerful advocate for forgiveness, healing, and choosing compassion in the face of unimaginable loss.

Michael Crossland, a cancer survivor and elite sportsman, will share how he has defied the odds to build a life of achievement.

Through his engaging storytelling, he encourages young people to believe in themselves, persevere through adversity, and pursue their potential with courage and hope.

Grace Rowe, who grew up racing motocross as one of the only junior females fully sponsored in Australia, will talk about how her life changed dramatically following a serious training accident in March 2023, which resulted in a broken pelvis in six places.

After 45 nights in hospital, three surgeries, and more than 15 months of rehabilitation and trauma therapy, Grace learnt to walk again and now shares her remarkable story of resilience and determination.

Duku Forè, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), an international speaker, author, and two-time TEDx presenter, arrived in Australia as a refugee at the age of 10.

Now Australia’s youth delegate to the United Nations, he shares a compelling message about resilience, identity, and turning adversity into purpose.

James Chapman shares how being born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, has driven him to build a powerful platform encouraging young people to embrace difference.

With over 300 million video views, he is a TikTok for Good Award nominee, Australian representative at the World Dwarf Games, and a passionate advocate for confidence, inclusion, and self-belief.

“We can’t wait to see Coffs Harbour students experience Stand Tall for the first time,” Ms Farr-Jones said.

“Our hope is that every student leaves feeling encouraged to believe in themselves and care for those around them, as well as feeling equipped with practical tools to help navigate life successfully.”

By Andrea FERRARI