About Us
You know that workplace mental health is important. You want your staff to feel mentally healthy and psychologically safe. And you want to know that you are meeting your workplace health and safety obligations.
So, you do some research and the good news is that there’s a lot of information out there about mentally healthy workplaces.
The bad news is…there’s a lot of information out there about mentally healthy workplaces.
So. Much. Information.
Some might say an overwhelming amount of information. It can start to feel like you need to be a psychologist with years of experience in workplace mental health just to know where to begin. I think you know where I’m going with this…
Hi, I’m Sam Sellwood
I’m a registered psychologist with years of experience in workplace mental health (say what?? I did not see that coming).
I really love delivering practical strategies that help workplaces (and the human beings in them) take care of themselves, take care of each other and take care of teams.
And I also love having a bit of a laugh along the way. Because sometimes you’ve just got to, right?
I’ve worked for many years doing counselling with adults so I know the damage that an unhealthy workplace can cause. But I’ve also seen that great workplaces – the ones where you have an awesome boss who ‘gets’ people and supportive colleagues who care about you – can actually make you happier and healthier.
In fact, that great workplace can help get you through when other parts of your life aren’t so rosy.
I saw this firsthand working in employee wellbeing with the Queensland Police and in the Psychological Health Unit at Workplace Health & Safety Queensland.
A great workplace not only protects your mental health – it actually improves it.
Ok Sam, so what do we get when we work with
HeadStrong?
When you come to Head Strong you get me. I’m not saying that because I think I’m awesome (but, hey, if other people want to say that, then who am I to stop them *cough* Testimonials page *cough*)
I just mean that you know with absolute certainty that you will be working with someone who has actually worked in clinical settings with people who have struggled with their mental health; someone who’s done the research and knows what works when it comes to mentally healthy workplaces; and someone who can make workplace health and safety legislation and ‘reasonable management action’ sexy. Okay, maybe not sexy. But definitely fun.
And every program is developed with you and tailored to your workplace, your staff, your context. There’s no off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all here. Except in summer. When we wear kaftans. Because they are really, really comfortable.
You had me at Kaftan, I’m in!
And sometimes, in addition to me, you get the awesome Molly Petersen.
Molly is my frequent co-facilitator and she brings a bajillion (not a real number) years’ experience in, well, everything really. She’s a registered nurse by trade and has worked in just about every mental health and drug and alcohol setting there is.
Somewhere in the middle of the bajillion years, Molly decided to take ‘a break’ from nursing to become a police officer. Obviously. (If you are wondering how Molly defines ‘a break’ you are not alone). After policing she returned to nursing, but this time in Aged Care. So there isn’t much that Molly hasn’t seen and doesn’t know. She really is awesome.
And then there's these two...
Mason – Chief Mental Health Officer
Mason is all about the self-care. He makes sure he gets enough sleep (you know, 15 or 16 hours a day), he never misses a walk and he has an unmatched ability to just be in the present moment.
Frankie – Head of Engagement
Frankie really knows how to engage people and can very quickly develop rappaw (ha! see what we did there? rapport/rappaw, get it?) with even the most difficult to engage customer. Wherever she goes, Frankie brings the fun.
And this is how we roll...
Evidence-based
At Head Strong, everything we do is based on research and a sound evidence base. We draw from psychology, neuroscience and employment law to make sure the services and programs we deliver are based on solid principles and consider relevant workplace legislation.
Practical
While we love research and a strong evidence base, we never forget that the programs we deliver have to actually work in the real world. That’s why we work hard to understand the unique context of every organisation we partner with and tailor our programs to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and practical.
Connected
At Head Strong, we emphasise collaboration and take the time to genuinely connect with you to understand your organisation, your goals and your needs. We develop programs that are truly interactive, to help your staff connect, not only with us, with learning and the program content, but also with each other.
Empowering
We believe that safe and healthy workplaces that support mental health and wellbeing are less about compliance and more about culture. And that isn’t something you can buy off the shelf. That’s why our focus is on building organisational capability – we can’t do it all for you, but we can empower you to develop the systems, process and skills you need to do it for yourself.
Ready for a chat? We are too.
A little bit of of praise is always welcome
“Sam Sellwood would have to be the most engaging presenter I have ever had. She made the two days so enjoyable and she had so much knowledge, she is definitely a benefit to your company, and I would gladly participate in another training day with her without question.”
“Sam is a great communicator, connects quickly and easily with individuals as well as the team. Her presenting style is professional and is laced with humour and managers leave each session with great practical tips to take back to their workplace.”
Sam’s professional bio.
(Also known as the “But seriously folks, I really am a professional…” section).
Head Strong Workplaces was founded by Sam Sellwood, a registered psychologist with significant experience assisting adults experiencing a wide range of mental health and personal difficulties. She has previously worked in government and non-government roles in employment services, corrections and police, and has a particular interest in creating psychologically safe and healthy workplaces.
As a mental health clinician, consultant and facilitator, Sam incorporates the latest research from the area of health neuroscience: an emerging field concerned with the interplay between the brain and physical and mental health. Using accessible language, Sam’s goal is to increase participants’ understanding of how stress, emotion and social factors influence our brain, body and sense of wellbeing.
Sam’s style brings together her depth of mental health knowledge and her ability to engage and have fun with her audience. She loves providing workplace programs that are practical and improve the mental health and wellbeing of individuals and workplaces.
Sam has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science degree, a Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology, and a Master of Business Psychology. She is also a Master Mental Health First Aid Instructor.
Sam is based in Brisbane but happily travels interstate to deliver programs and to present at conferences and forums as a guest speaker.
Is workplace mental health doing your head in?
Time to get