A transformative keynote experience (45–60 minutes)

There is something profoundly powerful that happens when someone speaks honestly about mental illness, not the polished version told in hindsight, but the reality of what it can feel like to live through it.

That's what this keynote offers.

In a powerful, deeply human and psychologically safe presentation, LUMAURA Founder Lauren McDonough shares her journey of living with mental illness from a young age, surviving a suicide attempt at 19 that resulted in the loss of both her legs, and the long, non-linear road of rebuilding a life she never imagined was possible.

But this keynote is about far more than one person's story.

Combining lived experience with trauma-informed, evidence-based insights and practical strategies, Lauren helps audiences better understand mental health, suicide, and the moments that matter most when someone is struggling.

Participants gain a deeper understanding of what mental illness can look and feel like, why people struggle, and the profound impact our responses can have. They challenge common misconceptions, explore the harm caused by stigma and silence, and discover why what happens after someone says, "I'm not okay," can change the course of a life.

Most importantly, audiences leave feeling genuinely equipped with greater confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, know what to say (and what not to say), and respond in ways that help people feel safe, seen, heard and supported.

For those carrying struggles of their own, the keynote also offers something equally important: hope. The reminder that they are not alone, that healing is possible, and that their story is not over.

This is more than an inspirational keynote. It's about creating meaningful change in the way people understand and respond to mental health in workplaces, schools, communities and everyday life.

Participants leave with:

• A deeper, more honest understanding of mental health, suicide, and what it can truly feel like to struggle.

• Greater confidence in recognising when someone may be struggling and how to respond in a way that helps.

• Practical, evidence-informed tools they can use immediately to support friends, family members, colleagues, students, or themselves.

• A better understanding of the impact of stigma, silence, and misunderstanding — and how to challenge them.

• Increased confidence in what to say, what not to say, and how to navigate difficult conversations with compassion and care.

• A stronger sense of empathy, connection, and shared humanity.

• A renewed sense of hope — both for those supporting others and for those carrying struggles of their own.

Thoughtful, engaging conversations that educate, inspire and create lasting impact.

Duration: 45–90 minutes (tailored to your event)

LUMAURA facilitates meaningful panel discussions that bring together lived experience, clinical expertise and evidence-informed perspectives to explore mental health, trauma, wellbeing and suicide in a way that is safe, engaging and genuinely valuable for audiences.

Whether moderating a conference panel, leading a community conversation or facilitating an expert discussion, Lauren creates a psychologically safe environment where complex topics can be explored with authenticity, compassion and respect. Every conversation is thoughtfully prepared to encourage connection, reduce stigma and leave audiences with practical insights they can take into everyday life.

Includes:

• Professional panel facilitation and moderation

• Panel planning and preparation

• Collaborative question development

• Audience Q&A facilitation

• Trauma-informed conversation management

• Optional planning session with panellists

Topics may include:

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Suicide prevention and safe conversations

• Trauma and trauma-informed care

• Lived experience and recovery

• Psychological safety

• Building mentally healthy workplaces

• Youth mental health

• Resilience, hope and human connection

• Reducing stigma and encouraging help-seeking

• Tailored topics to suit your audience and event

Ideal for:
Conferences, leadership events, Mental Health Month, R U OK? Day, World Suicide Prevention Day, community forums, workplaces, schools, universities, podcasts and panel discussions.

( COMING SOON )

A growing range of education sessions developed in collaboration with leading trauma-informed psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health experts. By combining clinical expertise with lived experience, these sessions offer a uniquely balanced approach that is evidence-based, trauma-informed and deeply human.

Practical, evidence-informed education that builds understanding, reduces stigma and equips people to respond with confidence.

Duration: 45–90 minutes (tailored to your audience)

These engaging educational sessions are designed to help people better understand mental health, suicide and trauma through a lived experience, trauma-informed and evidence-based lens. Moving beyond awareness alone, participants gain practical knowledge, challenge common misconceptions and develop the confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling and respond in helpful, compassionate ways.

Sessions are tailored to the needs of your organisation, school or community, ensuring content is relevant, engaging and immediately applicable.

Coming Soon: A growing range of education sessions developed in collaboration with leading trauma-informed psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health experts. By combining clinical expertise with lived experience, these sessions offer a uniquely balanced approach that is evidence-based, trauma-informed and deeply human.

Topics may include:

• Understanding mental health and mental illness

• Recognising signs someone may be struggling

• Responding when someone says, "I'm not okay"

• Suicide awareness and safe conversations

• Trauma and trauma-informed communication

• Stigma, language and misconceptions

• Supporting colleagues, students, friends and family

• Building psychologically safe communities and workplaces

• Hope, recovery and resilience

Participants will leave with:

• A deeper understanding of mental health, suicide and trauma.

• Greater confidence in recognising when someone may need support.

• Practical, evidence-informed strategies they can apply immediately.

• Increased confidence to have supportive conversations with compassion and care.

• A stronger understanding of the role every person can play in creating safer, more connected communities.

Ideal for:
Workplaces, schools, universities, councils, sporting clubs, community organisations and professional development events.