Working & Supporting First Nation Young People – Utilising the SWEB Model
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 1 and Virtual via OnAIR
| Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| 12:05 PM - 12:35 PM |
Overview
Ella Birchall and Hannah Halliburton, Headspace
Presenter
Mrs Hannah Halliburton
First Nation work and study online advisor
headspace
Working & Supporting First Nation Young People – Utilising the SWEB Model
Presentation Overview
headspace, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, provides early intervention mental health services online and in person to young people aged 12-25, their families and friends. headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, has provided almost 2 million services over the last 11 years to young people through our centres and online services. As leaders in Youth Mental Health, we are in a unique position to understand the challenges and barriers young people experience. In response to the unique work and study needs young people across the continuum of mental health can experience, headspace has expanded their work and study supports available across Australia, face to face and online.
In this session we highlight how we have adapted our service to incorporate the social emotional wellbeing wheel “stronger you method” to support our FN young people. We will introduce the FN specific role that has been appointed to the service as part of our headspace FN Strategic plan and supporting the program to being more inclusive of not only FN YP but all YP that enter the service. We will hear through case studies of young people who have received work and study support, utlaising this tool. Through our presentation you will gain knowledge of resources that have been updated specifically to support the SEWB of all YP. Key themes will include holistic and culturally safe youth focused strategies and the service’s multidisciplinary commitment to delivering services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
In this session we highlight how we have adapted our service to incorporate the social emotional wellbeing wheel “stronger you method” to support our FN young people. We will introduce the FN specific role that has been appointed to the service as part of our headspace FN Strategic plan and supporting the program to being more inclusive of not only FN YP but all YP that enter the service. We will hear through case studies of young people who have received work and study support, utlaising this tool. Through our presentation you will gain knowledge of resources that have been updated specifically to support the SEWB of all YP. Key themes will include holistic and culturally safe youth focused strategies and the service’s multidisciplinary commitment to delivering services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
Biography
Hannah Halliburton is a proud Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan woman with strong ties to Wiradjuri having grown up and starting her family in Griffith before making her home in Batemans Bay on Yuin Country. Hannah holds a deep and enduring connection to Country, Culture, and Identity—values instilled in her since early childhood.
Time spent on Country—listening, learning, and connecting—continue to guide Hannah in all that she does.
Hannah brings this strong cultural lens to her work with headspace, where she plays a vital role in shaping culturally safe and responsive work and study support for First Nations young people. Her professional experience spans across many sectors, offering her a wide-ranging perspective on the systems that affect young people.
Hannah is deeply committed and passionate in creating environments where First Nations youth are seen, heard, respected and supported.
Mrs Ella Birchall
Work And Study Coordinator
Headspace
Working & Supporting First Nation Young People – Utilising the SWEB Model
Presentation Overview
headspace, Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, provides early intervention mental health services online and in person to young people aged 12-25, their families and friends. headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation, has provided almost 2 million services over the last 11 years to young people through our centres and online services. As leaders in Youth Mental Health, we are in a unique position to understand the challenges and barriers young people experience. In response to the unique work and study needs young people across the continuum of mental health can experience, headspace has expanded their work and study supports available across Australia, face to face and online.
In this session we highlight how we have adapted our service to incorporate the social emotional wellbeing wheel “stronger you method” to support our FN young people. We will introduce the FN specific role that has been appointed to the service as part of our headspace FN Strategic plan and supporting the program to being more inclusive of not only FN YP but all YP that enter the service. We will hear through case studies of young people who have received work and study support, utlaising this tool. Through our presentation you will gain knowledge of resources that have been updated specifically to support the SEWB of all YP. Key themes will include holistic and culturally safe youth focused strategies and the service’s multidisciplinary commitment to delivering services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
In this session we highlight how we have adapted our service to incorporate the social emotional wellbeing wheel “stronger you method” to support our FN young people. We will introduce the FN specific role that has been appointed to the service as part of our headspace FN Strategic plan and supporting the program to being more inclusive of not only FN YP but all YP that enter the service. We will hear through case studies of young people who have received work and study support, utlaising this tool. Through our presentation you will gain knowledge of resources that have been updated specifically to support the SEWB of all YP. Key themes will include holistic and culturally safe youth focused strategies and the service’s multidisciplinary commitment to delivering services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
Biography
Ella Birchall is the Work and Study Coordinator at headspace National, where she has dedicated over four years to supporting young people through pivotal life transitions. With a strong background in management and employment services, Ella brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to empowering youth as they navigate education, training, and employment pathways.
Passionate about creating inclusive, supportive environments, Ella is driven by a vision of a future where all young people feel safe, seen, and set up for success. As a proud mother of two boys, aged 9 and 10, she is personally and professionally invested in building communities that foster opportunity and belonging for the next generation.
