Ashlee Harrison

At just 21 years old, Ashlee Harrison set out to do something most people wouldn’t even contemplate, start a mental health charity. Seventeen years later, she is still leading it, and the impact is now being felt across generations of young Australians. Ashlee is the CEO of zero2hero, an organisation she founded after losing her stepfather to suicide. In this candid and insightful conversation, she reflects on the difficult early days, learning how not to run events and fundraising campaigns, and how persistence, structure and a business mindset helped her turn an idea into one of the country’s most respected youth mental health charities. Ashlee speaks openly about the barriers she faced getting the organisation recognised, the frustrations of working within established systems, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people including the influence of her mentor, the late Ros Worthington. Named Young Western Australian of the Year in 2016, Ashlee has become a trusted voice in the media on mental health. Her commentary is grounded not in theory, but lived experience, and that authenticity comes through in this discussion. We also explore parenting, social media, technology, and how lifestyle factors such as diet, fitness and connection play a role in wellbeing for young people today. This is an honest, practical and inspiring conversation with a leader who continues to shape how we talk about and support mental health in Australia. You can find out more about zero2hero: https://www.zero2hero.com.au/