Dr Jo Prendergast

Psychiatrist, bestselling author, comedian and mental health speaker helping people navigate life's toughest moments with wisdom and humour

Overview

Dr. Jo Prendergast is a psychiatrist, author, comedian and keynote speaker whose unique combination of clinical expertise, lived experience and humour has made her one of Australasia's most engaging voices on mental health and wellbeing. Drawing on more than three decades in medicine, alongside her experiences as a parent, performer and breast cancer survivor, Jo helps audiences better understand resilience, emotional wellbeing and the realities of modern life. Her presentations are insightful, relatable and refreshingly honest, blending evidence-based mental health strategies with warmth, humanity and laughter.

Who is Dr. Jo Prendergast?

Dr. Jo Prendergast graduated from Otago Medical School in 1992 before undertaking specialist psychiatric training in Sydney, earning Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) in 2000. Throughout her career, she has worked across public and private mental health services in both New Zealand and Australia, supporting teenagers, adults and families through a wide range of mental health challenges.

Alongside her clinical career, Jo has built a reputation as a talented communicator and storyteller. In 2023, she released When Life Sucks, a practical and compassionate guide to supporting young people's mental health, published by HarperCollins in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

In 2017, Jo stepped onto the comedy stage for the first time, launching an unexpected and highly successful second career as a stand-up comedian. Her award-winning comedy shows have sold out festivals across Australia, New Zealand and the UK, earning acclaim for their honest, funny and deeply human exploration of parenting, mental health, cancer recovery and everyday life.

Today, Jo combines her expertise as a psychiatrist, author, comedian and cancer survivor to deliver presentations that inform, inspire and connect with audiences in a truly memorable way.

Career Highlights

• Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
• More than 30 years' experience in medicine and mental health
• Author of When Life Sucks (HarperCollins)
• Award-winning stand-up comedian and festival performer
• Nominated for Breakthrough Comedian at the NZ Comedy Guild Awards
• Sold-out comedy seasons at Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe
• Breast cancer survivor and advocate for resilience and wellbeing
• Regular media commentator across television, radio and podcasts in Australia, New Zealand and the UK
• Experienced conference keynote speaker and corporate presenter

Keynote Topics

• Beyond heroics - The hidden behaviours driving burnout and what actually helps

• What Should I Say? - The conversations that shape psychological safety at work

• Rethinking Talent - Unlocking the competitive advantage of neurodivergent thinking in the age of AI

• Laughter is the Best Medicine: Stand-up comedy meets hard-won wisdom from a doctor who went through cancer treatment

• Dr. Jo Prendergast is #coping: Stand-up and reflections on the demands of mid-life

What Your Audience Will Gain

Jo helps audiences better understand mental health through a combination of clinical expertise, practical advice and powerful storytelling. Her presentations provide actionable strategies for managing stress, supporting others and building resilience, while her humour creates a safe and engaging environment for meaningful conversations. Audiences leave informed, inspired and equipped with tools they can immediately apply in both their professional and personal lives.

Ideal For

• Organisations seeking to future-proof their workforce
• Leaders and teams in high-pressure, high-responsibility environments
• Teams who want to build sustainable performance and protect their people from burnout
• Teams focused on performance, retention, and workplace culture

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Dr. Jo Prendergast speak about?
Dr. Jo Prendergast speaks about mental health, resilience, parenting, wellbeing, stress management, cancer recovery and supporting young people.

Who is Dr. Jo Prendergast?
Dr. Jo Prendergast is a psychiatrist, author, comedian, keynote speaker and breast cancer survivor with more than 30 years of experience in mental health.

What is Dr. Jo Prendergast's book about?
Her book When Life Sucks provides practical advice and insights for supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Why is Dr. Jo Prendergast a popular keynote speaker?
Jo combines professional psychiatric expertise with humour, storytelling and lived experience, making complex mental health topics relatable and accessible.

What makes Dr. Jo Prendergast's presentations unique?
Her rare combination of psychiatrist, comedian, parent and cancer survivor allows her to deliver presentations that are evidence-based, deeply authentic and genuinely entertaining.

Has Dr. Jo Prendergast appeared in the media?
Yes. Jo has featured on television, radio and podcasts throughout New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, discussing mental health, parenting and wellbeing.

What topics does Dr. Jo Prendergast cover for corporate audiences?
She commonly presents on workplace wellbeing, burnout prevention, resilience, psychological health and supporting mental wellbeing in modern workplaces.

Is Dr. Jo Prendergast available for keynote presentations and corporate events?
Yes. Dr. Jo Prendergast is available for conferences, corporate speaking engagements, mental health events, media appearances and live performances.