Left to right: The Hon. Emma McBride, Richa Sharma, Nadya Fullerton and Jason Trethowan. Photo credit Jordy Scott.
Dedication and excellence in supporting the future mental health workforce has been recognised in Canberra this week, where the Orygen-led headspace Craigieburn received a national award in for its sustained delivery of high-quality student placements across psychology, social work and occupational therapy.
The Outstanding Contribution to Student Placement Programs award was presented to Nadya Fullerton (headspace Craigieburn Clinical Services Manager) and Richa Sharma (Clinical Educator and former headspace national early career graduate) by Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, The Hon Emma McBride, and headspace CEO Jason Trethowan at an event at the National Portrait Gallery, attended by guests including Orygen's Prof. Patrick McGorry.
Prof. Patrick McGorry (centre) with representatives of the Department of Health, Disability and Aging.
The award is part of the inaugural National headspace Early Career Awards, which recognise the contribution of emerging clinicians, clinical educators, and headspace centres supporting the youth mental health workforce.
Now in its fifth year, the headspace Early Career Program places students and graduates in headspace services, where they deliver supervised clinical care while building the skills they need for long-term careers in youth mental health.term careers in youth mental health.
The Hon. Emma McBride presents Nadya Fullerton with the award. Photo credit Jordy Scott.
Since 2022, headspace Craigieburn has supported more than 58 clinical student placements and developed a strong multidisciplinary learning culture, with particular strengths in occupational therapy placements. Its collaborative approach has helped strengthen workforce pathways and support graduates to transition into ongoing clinical and educator roles.
“We’re so proud of the team at headspace Craigieburn for this well-deserved recognition,” said Jane Laidlaw, Chief of Clinical Operations at Orygen.
“The team are doing outstanding work to support the learning and development of future clinicians, while at the same time bolstering the capacity of our services to support local young people.
“We’re delighted to be recognised by headspace National as one of the leaders in this space, and it’s testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone at headspace Craigieburn.”
Left to right: The Hon. Emma McBride, Nadya Fullerton and Jason Trethowan. Photo credit Jordy Scott.