Culture, Care, and Connectivity: Digital SEWB Tools for a Resilient Workforce
Tracks
Springbrook Room - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 12:10 PM - 12:40 PM |
Overview
Angela Sheridan & David Edwards, Wellmob - eMHPrac
Presenter
David Edwards
Director
Wellmob - eMHPrac
Culture, Care, and Connectivity: Digital SEWB Tools for a Resilient Workforce
Presentation Overview
This presentation explores workforce development strategies for non-Indigenous practitioners working with First Nations communities, highlighting the role of culturally safe digital tools in practice, for professional development and to build cultural capability.
WellMob—a strengths-based, holistic digital library of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) resources—was co-designed with frontline First Nations mental health workers through participatory action research in Bundjalung Country (NSW). Indigenous-led in its design and governance, WellMob responds to the need for culturally embedded online content that contrasts with mainstream mental health approaches, which often focus on symptoms only and deficit-based approaches. Freely accessible 24/7, WellMob offers vetted, culturally safe resources that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and needs. Website user survey results confirm its ease of navigation, cultural appropriateness, and perceived value for both practitioners and clients.
The presentation will showcase how WellMob supports our diverse health and wellbeing workforces by providing practical tools for clinical practice, health promotion and health literacy. It will also explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources, tailoring content to client context and diverse scopes of practice—critical for time-poor workers delivering hybrid and remote care.
By embedding cultural safety and strengths-based approaches to services with First Nations clients and staff, we can create a future where care is inclusive, responsive and effective.
Summary:
This session demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities, aligning with the vision of a better mental health system by 2050.
WellMob—a strengths-based, holistic digital library of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) resources—was co-designed with frontline First Nations mental health workers through participatory action research in Bundjalung Country (NSW). Indigenous-led in its design and governance, WellMob responds to the need for culturally embedded online content that contrasts with mainstream mental health approaches, which often focus on symptoms only and deficit-based approaches. Freely accessible 24/7, WellMob offers vetted, culturally safe resources that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and needs. Website user survey results confirm its ease of navigation, cultural appropriateness, and perceived value for both practitioners and clients.
The presentation will showcase how WellMob supports our diverse health and wellbeing workforces by providing practical tools for clinical practice, health promotion and health literacy. It will also explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources, tailoring content to client context and diverse scopes of practice—critical for time-poor workers delivering hybrid and remote care.
By embedding cultural safety and strengths-based approaches to services with First Nations clients and staff, we can create a future where care is inclusive, responsive and effective.
Summary:
This session demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities, aligning with the vision of a better mental health system by 2050.
Biography
David Edwards, a Worimi man, grew up on Turrbal/Jagera country and now lives on Bundjalung land in northern NSW. He is Director of the WellMob website program under the University of Sydney’s University Centre for Rural Health, providing a digital library of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing resources. With a background in science and Indigenous health promotion, David brings over 30 years’ experience working with communities on country, culture, health, and employment. He has contributed to the National Digital Mental Health Advisory Group and serves on governance groups for Emerging Minds, Beyond Blue, and Inside Out.
Angela Sheridan
Project Officer
Wellmob - eMHPrac
Culture, Care, and Connectivity: Digital SEWB Tools for a Resilient Workforce
Presentation Overview
This presentation explores workforce development strategies for non-Indigenous practitioners working with First Nations communities, highlighting the role of culturally safe digital tools in practice, for professional development and to build cultural capability.
WellMob—a strengths-based, holistic digital library of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) resources—was co-designed with frontline First Nations mental health workers through participatory action research in Bundjalung Country (NSW). Indigenous-led in its design and governance, WellMob responds to the need for culturally embedded online content that contrasts with mainstream mental health approaches, which often focus on symptoms only and deficit-based approaches. Freely accessible 24/7, WellMob offers vetted, culturally safe resources that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and needs. Website user survey results confirm its ease of navigation, cultural appropriateness, and perceived value for both practitioners and clients.
The presentation will showcase how WellMob supports our diverse health and wellbeing workforces by providing practical tools for clinical practice, health promotion and health literacy. It will also explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources, tailoring content to client context and diverse scopes of practice—critical for time-poor workers delivering hybrid and remote care.
By embedding cultural safety and strengths-based approaches to services with First Nations clients and staff, we can create a future where care is inclusive, responsive and effective.
Summary:
This session demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities, aligning with the vision of a better mental health system by 2050.
Three Key Learnings
1. Explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources.
2. Demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities.
WellMob—a strengths-based, holistic digital library of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) resources—was co-designed with frontline First Nations mental health workers through participatory action research in Bundjalung Country (NSW). Indigenous-led in its design and governance, WellMob responds to the need for culturally embedded online content that contrasts with mainstream mental health approaches, which often focus on symptoms only and deficit-based approaches. Freely accessible 24/7, WellMob offers vetted, culturally safe resources that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values and needs. Website user survey results confirm its ease of navigation, cultural appropriateness, and perceived value for both practitioners and clients.
The presentation will showcase how WellMob supports our diverse health and wellbeing workforces by providing practical tools for clinical practice, health promotion and health literacy. It will also explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources, tailoring content to client context and diverse scopes of practice—critical for time-poor workers delivering hybrid and remote care.
By embedding cultural safety and strengths-based approaches to services with First Nations clients and staff, we can create a future where care is inclusive, responsive and effective.
Summary:
This session demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities, aligning with the vision of a better mental health system by 2050.
Three Key Learnings
1. Explore emerging opportunities for AI-enabled systems to streamline practitioner access to SEWB resources.
2. Demonstrates how culturally safe digital tools and strengthening workforce capability can improve mental health service delivery for First Nations communities.
Biography
Angela Sheridan, a Wiradjuri woman from south-central New South Wales, grew up on Widjabul Wia-bal Country in the Bundjalung Nation. She is the Communications Officer for WellMob, a digital platform offering culturally relevant online resources to support the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. With a strong background in community health and Indigenous health promotion, Angela is committed to using digital tools to strengthen culture, connection, and healing within communities. She recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Indigenous Health Promotion at the University of Sydney, furthering her passion for culturally safe, inclusive health solutions.
