Creating Space to Heal: Embedding Cultural Safety and Responsiveness Across the headspace Network
Tracks
MONARCH ROOM - In-Person & Virtual via OnAIR
PRINCE ROOM - In-Person Only
MARQUIS ROOM - In-Person Only
| Tuesday, March 17, 2026 |
| 4:35 PM - 5:05 PM |
Overview
Daniel Knapp, Executive Director - First Nations Wellbeing & Engagement, headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Presenter
Daniel Knapp
Executive Director, First Nations Wellbeing & Engagement
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
Creating Space to Heal: Embedding Cultural Safety and Responsiveness Across the headspace Network
Presentation Overview
This presentation will explore how headspace has evolved its approach to youth mental health by centring culture as both prevention and healing.
Over the past five years, headspace National has embarked on a transformative journey to make our network a more culturally safe and responsive space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families, workforce and communities. This journey has been guided by First Nations leadership, cultural governance, and a deep commitment to self-determination and healing.
Through the establishment of the First Nations Wellbeing and Engagement Division (FNWE) in 2021, headspace has been reshaping its systems, workforce, and service design frameworks to reflect the cultural realities, strengths, and priorities of First Nations peoples. From the formation of FNWE, creation of the headspace First Nations Strategy, to the formation of the headspace National First Nations Cultural Governance committee and Youth Council, to the co-design of First Nations-led services, outreach models and workforce development strategies, our focus has been on embedding change, not as a project, but as a shared responsibility across the entire organisation.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Cultural safety is a systems responsibility - embedding it requires First Nations leadership and organisational transformation, not just cultural awareness training alone.
2. First Nations cultural governance creates accountability and integrity – ensuring First Nations wisdom and perspectives drive decision-making at every level.
3.There is no clinical safety without cultural safety - effective engagement, assessment, and care depend on culturally safe relationships and trust.
Over the past five years, headspace National has embarked on a transformative journey to make our network a more culturally safe and responsive space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families, workforce and communities. This journey has been guided by First Nations leadership, cultural governance, and a deep commitment to self-determination and healing.
Through the establishment of the First Nations Wellbeing and Engagement Division (FNWE) in 2021, headspace has been reshaping its systems, workforce, and service design frameworks to reflect the cultural realities, strengths, and priorities of First Nations peoples. From the formation of FNWE, creation of the headspace First Nations Strategy, to the formation of the headspace National First Nations Cultural Governance committee and Youth Council, to the co-design of First Nations-led services, outreach models and workforce development strategies, our focus has been on embedding change, not as a project, but as a shared responsibility across the entire organisation.
Three Key Learnings:
1. Cultural safety is a systems responsibility - embedding it requires First Nations leadership and organisational transformation, not just cultural awareness training alone.
2. First Nations cultural governance creates accountability and integrity – ensuring First Nations wisdom and perspectives drive decision-making at every level.
3.There is no clinical safety without cultural safety - effective engagement, assessment, and care depend on culturally safe relationships and trust.
Biography
Daniel Knapp is a dedicated leader at headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, focused on improving mental health outcomes for all young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
With a background in youth centred mental health services and community development, Daniel advocates for culturally responsive, holistic care that supports self-determination. His work centres on fostering environments where young people and their communities feel empowered, and their voices are heard. Through collaborative leadership, Daniel builds strong partnerships with communities and stakeholders to drive service innovation.
Passionate about early intervention and social and emotional wellbeing, he plays a key role in ensuring headspace delivers accessible, culturally safe, and responsive mental health support nationwide.
