Project Team

Trevor Hazell, Director

Trevor Hazell is the Director of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health and is also a conjoint senior lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Newcastle. He has extensive experience in planning and management with welfare and health departments of the NSW Government. Trevor has considerable experience in health promotion, evaluation of services and in the management of mental health promotion and suicide prevention projects.

 

Jaelea Skehan, Program Manager

Jaelea has been with the Hunter Institute since 2001 and forms part of the management team.  She is a registered psychologist and a Conjoint Teaching Fellow with the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Newcastle.  Jaelea has been working on the Mindframe National Media Initiative since January 2003 and is responsible for the management of five national projects funded under the Initiative.  These projects include:  Mindframe Media and Mental Health Project, Response Ability Project, Mindframe for the Mental Health Sector, Mindframe Stage and Screen, and Mindframe for Police and Courts.  Jaelea is passionate about mental health promotion and suicide prevention and has worked on a number of other national, state and local projects in this area.  She provides advice to a range of national and international organisations, is published in the area of media and mental health issues and is a member of the International Taskforce on Suicide and the Media. 

Marc Bryant, Projects Manager

Marc Bryant joined the Hunter Institute of Mental Health in February 2009 as projects manager on the Mindframe National Media Initiative.

Marc has many years' experience working in and with the media, both as a journalist in the UK and in media and communications for the National Health Service (UK) and the South Australian Health Department.

For the Institute, Marc plays a leading role on several projects funded under the Mindframe National Media Initiative, including Mindframe Media and Mental Health Project; Mindframe for Police and Courts; and Response Ability (Public Relations). 

Amy Laybutt, Senior Project Officer 

Amy is a graduate of the University of Newcastle with an Honours degree in Psychology. Amy conducted her final year research on social psychology and later went on to work as a research assistant at the University, initially in the School of Behavioural Sciences and then as part of the Engaging Fathers Program at the Family Action Centre. Amy began working at the Hunter Institute of Mental Health in 2006, initially working on the Response Ability for Teacher Education Project. In January 2007, Amy joined the Mindframe team to work on Response Ability for Journalism Education and Mindframe Stage & Screen. Amy has worked in the music industry for nearly 15 years and is an award-winning performer and composer. This has allowed Amy to be involved in many community events and projects, including a variety of theatre productions with local and touring theatre companies. Amy is currently studying for a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion.

Victoria Clack, Senior Project Officer

Victoria is a Registered Psychologist with a background in mental health promotion, research and clinical work.  Following graduation from the University of Newcastle in 2003, Victoria worked for the Hunter Institute of Mental Health on a range of health promotion projects; and the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health on a research project for persons with comorbid substance misuse and depression.  In recent years Victoria has worked in the are of clinical assessment and counselling for the federal government agency, Centrelink.

Victoria rejoined the Institute in August 2009 as a Senior Project Officer for the Mindframe for Police and Courts and the Mind Essentials for QLD Emergency Services project.

Nerida Mason, Project Officer

Nerida has an Honours Degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.  Since joining the Institute in February 2009, Nerida has been working as a project officer in the Mindframe project team, working on Response Ability for both Public Relations and Journalism Education.  Prior to working with the Institute Nerida worked as a Lifeline telephone counsellor and as an assistant at the Electro Convulsive Therapy suite at James Fletcher Hospital on a voluntary basis.  In addition to working for the Institute, Nerida is currently studying a Masters Degree in Forensic Mental Health.

Mimi joined the Institute in April 2007 and is predominately involved in all Mindframe Projects as a Communications Officer. She is currently studying Public Relations and Event Management and is actively involved in co-ordinating media briefings, guest lectures, conferences and workshops for the Mindframe Projects as well as providing other support to the project team. Mimi has over 13 years experience in various facets of administration. Prior to joining the Institute, Mimi was a Resource Tactical Planner for a telecommunications company involved in forecasting and strategic project planning.