Our Mission
To build healthier island communities by advancing evidence-informed mental health policy, eradicating stigma, and implementing best-practice prevention and early-intervention programmes.
Vision
A future where mental and physical health share parity of esteem.
Why Island Communities?
Island jurisdictions face unique structural challenges:
- small populations with limited economies of scale
- high fixed costs for research and system design
- fragmented services and coordination challenges
- stigma in close-knit communities
These conditions make prevention and early intervention harder to deliver – but even more critical.
Island Mind exists to address this system-level gap.
Our Approach
Our work is guided by three core principles:
Evidence-based
All recommendations are grounded in high-quality data and research, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
Collaborative
We work across government, service providers, and community organisations to support coordinated, sustainable impact.
Lived-experience centred
People with lived experience are represented and actively shape our work at every level.
LEADERSHIP
A multidisciplinary team spanning research, governance, policy, and lived experience.
Trustees and directors
Dr Shawnee (Basden) Lightbourne
Trustee and Chair
Provides strategic oversight, governance leadership, and clinical-research integration.
Kathleen Keane
Trustee, Secretary, and Legal Advisor
Guides legal oversight, charity governance, and ethical assurance.
Maxine Brown
Trustee and Treasurer
Leads financial oversight, accountability, and stewardship of donor and public funds.
Dr Ernest Peets
Trustee and Director
Provides clinical oversight and strategic guidance on mental health system development.
Dr Daniel Cavanagh
Founder
Advises on strategy, research programs, policy translation, and stakeholder engagement.
Christopher Jackson
Trustee and Youth Director
Ensures youth voice and lived experience shape governance and co-design work.
Research and advisory leadership
Priya Suagh
Communications Consultant
Shapes public engagement and research translation in ways that reduce stigma.
Dr Jacob Jorem
Legislation and Clinical Advisor
Advises on mental health law reform, safeguards, and capacity-based approaches.
Professor Mina Fazel
Survey and Clinical Advisor
Supports rigorous adolescent survey design, interpretation, and best-practice alignment.
Dr Panagis Galiatsatos
School Engagement Advisor
Advises on practical school partnership and health promotion strategies.