Indigenous Codesign and Inclusion to Develop Service Delivery Model
Tracks
Binna Burra Room - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Overview
Marjorie Anderson, Lifeline Australia/13YARN
Presenter
Mrs Marjorie Anderson
Head Indigenous Affairs
Lifeline Australia/13YARN
Indigenous Codesign and Inclusion to Develop Service Delivery Model
Presentation Overview
Marjorie will take you on the journey of the development and delivery of a service designed with the community it is intended to serve.
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line funded by the Australian Government with the support of Lifeline Australia.
We have co-designed this line using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including Gayaa Dhuwi, NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples, Stolen Generation, LGBTQI+, youth and Elders as well as those with lived experience. We work to explore options for ongoing support and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.
The service is designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across varying demographics including age, family status, urban, rural and remote locations that have high rates of suicide and self-harm.
13YARN reflects the cultural and historical factors that had contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' understanding and experience of mental wellbeing and suicide.
Key Points about 13YARN
First national support line for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis.
A call to 13YARN is a free call
There is no shame in calling 13YARN, it is a confidential service
We listen without judgement
Confidential and anonymous
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters
Available 24/7 across the country and accessible by any phone in Australia
Culturally Safe Space
100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led service and management team
Three Key Learnings:
1. How to codesign a service with the community it is intended to serve
2. How to deal with barriers to success
3. How to be agile enough to be on a journey of continuous improvement
13YARN is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line funded by the Australian Government with the support of Lifeline Australia.
We have co-designed this line using Lifeline expertise with several Aboriginal mental health professionals including Gayaa Dhuwi, NACCHO, Black Dog Institute Aboriginal Lived Experience team and the Centre for Excellence in Suicide Prevention along with input from Torres Strait Islander, remote, regional, and urban peoples, Stolen Generation, LGBTQI+, youth and Elders as well as those with lived experience. We work to explore options for ongoing support and community members will always be reassured they will be connected to another Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who will understand where they are coming from and value knowing HOW to listen, without judgement or shame.
The service is designed, led and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across varying demographics including age, family status, urban, rural and remote locations that have high rates of suicide and self-harm.
13YARN reflects the cultural and historical factors that had contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' understanding and experience of mental wellbeing and suicide.
Key Points about 13YARN
First national support line for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in crisis.
A call to 13YARN is a free call
There is no shame in calling 13YARN, it is a confidential service
We listen without judgement
Confidential and anonymous
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters
Available 24/7 across the country and accessible by any phone in Australia
Culturally Safe Space
100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led service and management team
Three Key Learnings:
1. How to codesign a service with the community it is intended to serve
2. How to deal with barriers to success
3. How to be agile enough to be on a journey of continuous improvement
Biography
Marjorie is an Aboriginal woman born and bred in Redfern, her mob is from northern NSW. Before joining Lifeline Australia and codesigning and delivering 13YARN Marj worked at the Aboriginal Housing Office in a number of executive roles. Prior to working at the Aboriginal Housing Office, Marj has worked at Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, Department of Juvenile Justice and Tourism NSW, The Olympic Coordination Authority and ABC. Marj is passionate about building resilient sustainable communities. Marjorie is the current NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year.
