Dean Bayliss is a proud Kamilaroi man and is the CEO of Healing Works Australia. Dean has extensive experience within suicide prevention and postvention, including roles within The Way Back Suicide After Care Program, co-design, development and service delivery of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide After Care Program and suicide prevention with community led emotional wellbeing and healing events. He also has significant experience in program co-design, strategic suicide intervention program development, implementation and delivery. Additionally, he has been a contributing member of multiple suicide prevention based networks and groups, including LifeSpan Newcastle. More recently, he has been sought out to provide cultural supervision for a NSW school based “Elevate and Empower leadership program” with the Aboriginal Education Officers through training, mentoring and supervision.

Dean’s personal and professional experiences have placed him in a unique position to provide culturally competent, sensitive and safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are at risk of suicide, or who would like to learn how to support someone who is at risk of suicide. Dean’s solid understanding of himself and his own lived experiences enables him to understand and assist others through a nurturing and empathic approach. This is critical when empowering communities. His background in training, development and business management compliments his abilities to lead others as a confident role model and mentor, along with his ability to relate well to others regardless of their background or circumstances.

Dean holds a strong commitment to building the capacity and resilience of individuals and communities regarding mental health, suicide prevention and healing. He values and respects cultural protocols, and does not allow consultation and community engagement to be compromised as he believes they are fundamental for a tailored and sustainable approach for each individual community.

Dean is a Master ASIST and I-ASIST trainer, and is also a safeTALK and safeYARN trainer – all of which are industry leading suicide intervention training programs developed by Livingworks Australia, whom Dean is proudly affiliated with. Dean is also a co-developer and facilitator of the Hope to Healing Workshop. He is also available for speaking engagements, and has extensive experience as a keynote speaker and panellist member at conferences and symposiums throughout Australia. Dean is currently a National Network Member for the Black Dog Institute Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre, a National Advisory Member for the Ibobbly app for the Black Dog Institute, and a national Consortium Member on behalf of Healing Works Australia for I-ASIST.

Dean collaborates and has forged strong partnerships with Government, Non-Government and community groups with guidance, strong vision and accountability.

His key focus is building strong sustainable kinship through targeted support.