COUNTDOWN TO EVENT!

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Get Your Tickets Here!

SPEAKER LINEUP

CHECK OUT THE SPEAKERS OF APTCC 2025

Dr. John Draper

Behavioral Health Link

Learn More

Thilini Perera

Lifeline International

Learn More

Professor Paul Yip

The University of Hong Kong

Learn More

Elliot Taylor

ThroughLine

Learn More

Dr. Iris Chih-Tsai Chen

Taoyuan Psychiatric Center

Learn More

Assoc. Prof. Lee Su Fen

National Chi Nan University (NCNU)

Learn More

Assoc. Prof. Fortune Fu-Tsung Shaw

National Chi Nan University (NCNU)

Learn More

Professor
Jo Robinson

Orygen

Learn More

Vickie
Skorji

TELL Japan

Learn More

Professor Chen Yu Chia

Taiwan Lifeline International

Learn More

Winnie Ng Wai Man

Open Up Hong Kong

Learn More

Dr. Noor Raihan Binti Khamal

NCEMH

Learn More

Professor Dr. Chan Lai Fong

National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Learn More

Dato' Dr. Florance Manoranjitham Sinniah

SNEHAM Malaysia

Learn More

Dr. Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam

Hospital Miri, Zero Suicide Sarawak, Malaysia

Learn More
FIND OUT MORE
lifeline7995
FOR MORE ENQUIRIES
Life Line Association Malaysia

1-3, 3rd Floor, Jalan Jelatek 1, Pusat Perniagaan Jelatek, Setiawangsa, 54200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Copyright © 2025 Asia-Pacific Telephone Counselling Conference. All Rights Reserved.

Dr. John Draper

Behavioral Health Link

Dr. John Draper has over 35 years experience in crisis care services and is the founding and former Executive Director of the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 18 years. He is currently the President of Research and Development at Behavioral Health Link, which helps build model crisis care systems in communities across the United States.

Thilini Perera

Lifeline International

Thilini Perera is the CEO of LifeLine International, an Australia-based global suicide prevention organisation that represents 31 Member organisations operating in 27 countries, who provide critical community-based suicide prevention services and deliver crisis support helplines.

 

Thilini’s work concentrates on collaborating with a range of stakeholders across the world to reduce stigma, increase understanding that suicides are preventable and ensure that suicide prevention is a key priority on the global public health agenda.


Previously, Thilini also held senior executive roles at Lifeline Australia
– Australia’s preeminent suicide prevention helpline. Thilini is a qualified corporate governance professional and a legal practitioner of the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court. She also chairs the Board of CarersACT – a not-for-profit organisation that focuses on supporting, connecting and empowering carers to maintain their caring role and personal wellbeing; and Co-Chairs the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s Special Interest Group on Helplines.

Professor Paul Yip

The University of Hong Kong

Professor Paul Yip is a renowned academic at the University of Hong Kong. He serves as the Chair Professor of Population Health in the Department of Social Work and Social Administration, the Associate Dean for Knowledge Exchange and Development in the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention.

Elliot Taylor

ThroughLine

Elliot Taylor is a digital mental health entrepreneur with over a decade of experience supporting people in crisis online. As the founder and CEO of ThroughLine, he leads a team that partners with major social media, gaming, search, and AI companies to connect people in crisis with verified helpline support across 140 countries.

 

Prior to ThroughLine, Elliot built a social media helpline, providing crisis counselling to teens in 50+ countries.

Dr. Iris Chih-Tsai Chen

Taoyuan Psychiatric Center

Dr. Iris Chih-Tsai Chen is an Assistant Professor in the Music Therapy Program at Fu Jen Catholic University’s Department of Music. She has received several prestigious accolades, including the Jing Wang Award, the Gold Award at the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, and recognition as an Outstanding Physician in Taoyuan City and one of Taiwan’s Top 100 Doctors.

Assoc. Prof. Lee Su Fen

National Chi Nan University (NCNU)

Associate Professor Lee Su Fen teaches at the Department of Counselling Psychology and Human Resource Development at National Chi Nan University. She specializes in Gestalt therapy and group counselling, with extensive experience in teaching and promoting mental health awareness. Her expertise lies in integrating theory with practical application, helping students develop essential counselling skills.

Assoc. Prof. Fortune Fu-Tsung Shaw

National Chi Nan University (NCNU)

Assoc. Prof. Fortune Fu-Tsung Shaw is the Co-Host of Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare Suicide Prevention Hotline and a board member of the Taiwan Counselling Psychology Association.

Professor Jo Robinson

Orygen

Jo Robinson AM is a Professor at Orygen, the Centre for Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, where she leads the Suicide Prevention Research Unit.


Prof. Robinson’s work focuses on the development and testing of novel interventions that specifically target at-risk youth across various settings. Her research emphasizes evidence synthesis and the translation of research evidence into practice and policy.


A significant aspect of her work explores the potential of social media platforms in suicide prevention. This includes the development of the #chatsafe guidelines, the first evidence-based best practice framework for safe peer-to-peer communication about suicide online.


Prof. Robinson also has a keen interest in policy development and evaluation. She has led the development of two major policy reports and is regularly called upon to provide advice to both state and federal governments.


She is a member of the Self-Injury Advisory Group for Meta and served as an advisory board member for Oprah Winfrey’s production “The Me You Can’t See”.

Additionally, she holds a leadership role as Vice President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, where she continues to drive global efforts in mental health and suicide prevention.

Vickie Skorji

TELL Japan

Vickie Skorji is the Director of TELL Lifeline Services, a Japanese NPO that has been supporting the International community in Japan since 1973.


Vickie has a Masters in Counseling from Monash University and a Behavioral Sciences degree with honors from La Trobe University Australia, along with specialist training in neuropsychology and Acquired Brain Injury in hospital and rehabilitation settings.


Over the last 18 years at TELL, she has worked as a trainer, clinical therapist and Lifeline Director. She has also developed a wide range of suicide prevention and mental health awareness programs for schools, the workplace, and the community, stress management, work-life balance, cultural adjustment, dementia care, disaster preparedness, and psychological first aid training.

 

More recently, she developed workshops and programs to assist schools, workplaces, and community groups in dealing with the challenges of COVID-19 both during and after the pandemic, focusing on managing burnout and compassion fatigue and building resilience, along with programs to support evacuees in adjusting to life in Japan.

Professor Chen Yu Chia

Taiwan Lifeline International

Chen Yu Chia is a Professor in the Department of Social Work at National Dong Hwa University. His expertise lies in social work theory and practice, with a focus on community development, social welfare policies, and advocacy for marginalized groups. Dr. Chen is dedicated to nurturing professional skills in his students and actively engages in community service and social welfare initiatives.

Winnie Ng Wai Man

Open Up Hong Kong

Winnie Ng Wai Man is the Project Manager of “Open Up,” Hong Kong’s first 24/7 online text-based counseling service. With over 20 years of industry experience, she has led her team in delivering high-quality counseling services and is recognized for pioneering the use of advanced technology in mental health support.

 

Her expertise lies in utilizing data-driven analysis to enhance intervention effectiveness and improve service outcomes. By integrating cutting-edge technology and big data, “Open Up” has played a key role in providing tailored support for young individuals and has established itself as a leader in online mental health services.

Dr. Noor Raihan Binti Khamal

NCEMH

Dr Noor Raihan Khamal is a Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Centre of Excellence for Mental Health (NCEMH), Ministry of Health, Malaysia. She is the Head of the Mental Health Crisis Intervention Sector. She develops policies and strategies for suicide prevention and violence injury prevention at the national level.

Professor Dr. Chan Lai Fong

National University of Malaysia (UKM)

Dr. Chan Lai Fong, MD, MMEDPsych, MSc, is Professor of Psychiatry &
Suicide Prevention, & Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Dr. Chan received the 2017 International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) De Leo Fund Award. Dr. Chan is the current 3rd Vice-President of the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) and a member of the Malaysian National Technical Working Group on Suicide Prevention. Dr Chan is also a member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (STAG-MNS), as well as the MQ Mental Health Science Council.

Dato' Dr. Florance Manoranjitham Sinniah

SNEHAM Malaysia

Founder and President of SNEHAM Malaysia, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention and the promotion of mental well-being. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have significantly enhanced community support and awareness, particularly within the Tamil, Bahasa, and English speaking populations. Through her multifaceted contributions to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy, Dr. Florance has emerged as an inspirational figure, making a profound impact on the lives of many.

Dr. Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam

Hospital Miri, Zero Suicide Sarawak, Malaysia

Dr. Ravi is a psychiatrist and dedicated suicide prevention researcher based in Sarawak, Malaysia. He became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK in 2017 and was honoured with the Young Psychiatrist Award by the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists in 2018. In 2019, he completed a training fellowship in Child and Adolescent Research at Fondazione Child in Rome. He further advanced his expertise by earning certification in psychological autopsy from the American Association of Suicidology in 2022.


Dr. Ravi’s primary research focus is on suicide prevention. He has been involved in significant grants from the Sarawak state government, the Fundamental Research Grants Scheme (Malaysia), and the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Research at the University of Edinburgh. His publications appear in various local and international peer-reviewed journals, addressing critical issues such as the criminalization of suicide attempts, the impact of paraquat bans on self-poisoning, and responsible media reporting on suicides.


As the leader of the #ZeroSuicideSarawak initiative, Dr. Ravi is committed to enhancing community capacity for suicide prevention through gatekeeper training for educators and healthcare professionals, crisis negotiation training, and advocacy for the decriminalization of suicide attempts. He actively contributes to the National Technical Working Group for Suicide Prevention, the
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), and the Psychotherapy Section of the World Psychiatric Association.


Additionally, he served on the scientific committee for the IASP Asia Pacific Conference in 2022 and led the development of the Sarawak Suicide Reporting Card, which provides guidelines for safe suicide messaging in multiple local languages.