Mental Health for Young People with Language Disorders

Session 1 Thursday 19th November 2026, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZDT
Session 2 Thursday 10th December 2026, 1.00pm-4.30pm NZDT 
Both sessions will be RECORDED and the recording will be available for 14 days after the "live" session.

This webinar is suited to speech pathologists who wish to feel more confident in understanding and supporting the co-occurring mental health needs of young people with language disorder on their caseload. In this webinar, speech pathologists will be supported to reflect on their role and decision-making within their own context, and to recognise how language-focused intervention can contribute to a young person’s mental health, wellbeing, and engagement across environments. There will be a strong emphasis on practical tools, strategies, and therapy activities that can be applied immediately in clinical sessions. This webinar aims to be relevant for speech pathologists who work with school aged students and adolescents in various contexts, such as schools, private practice, community, and disability services.

Recommended readings and resources will be shared 1-2 weeks before the event.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this two-part webinar, participants will:

• Understand the link between language disorder and mental health
• Recognise how mental health challenges may present in speech pathology contexts
• Navigate when concerns may warrant further discussion or referral
• Have the knowledge and practical resources to target core language skills that support socioemotional wellbeing and engagement in mental health services
• Feel equipped to support young people with language disorders to participate in other services (e.g. school or mental health supports)
• Feel empowered to collaborate with families and other professionals to support students with co-occurring language and mental health challenges 

Speech Language Therapists interested in this event can register via Humanitix

About Dr Emily Jackson

Emily is a speech pathologist, researcher, and lecturer who is passionate about supporting communication and wellbeing outcomes alongside neurodivergent young people and their families. Emily brings considerable clinical experience working with children and adolescents with language and learning difficulties, alongside delivering training and support to teachers and other professionals. She currently works as a senior speech pathologist within a youth forensic mental health service, supporting young people with complex neurodevelopmental and mental health needs. Emily also works as a lecturer and researcher in speech pathology at Curtin University. Her research has a strong focus on the intersection between language, learning, and mental health, and she has published widely in this area. Emily’s work is grounded in co-design with young people, families, and professionals, and she has received several awards recognising her research and community impact (e.g. the Australian Journal of Learning Difficulties Early Career Researcher Award and the RCSLT Giving Voice Award). Emily is co-lead of the Engage with DLD project and a proud member of the Language and Literacy in Young People research group and the enAble Institute.

For more information about the event and other CPD events, go to https://www.skillbuildersslt.com/training/