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headspace Coffs Harbour is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Community Canopy Award at the headspace Growing Together Forum 2026, the award recognises how our Centre is helping young people, families, and communities to grow, strengthen, and thrive.
The award, voted on by peers from across the National headspace network, recognises the impact of our Gaali Maam program, a culturally grounded mental health initiative developed for girls aged 10 to 17 attending Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School in Coffs Harbour.
This recognition celebrates more than a program. It acknowledges the strength of community collaboration, the importance of culturally safe mental health support, and the power of young people helping shape services that meet their needs.
What is Gaali Maam?
Gaali Maam, meaning “head place” in Gumbaynggirr language, was created through a partnership between headspace Coffs Harbour, Giingana Gumbaynggirr School, parents, and young people. Wiradjuri women, Bec Ellis (Mental Health Occupational Therapist) and Madi Cartner (Provisional Psychologist), co-designed Gaali Maam with young people and families to respond to the unique needs of young women in our community by building trust, confidence, connection, and practical skills while reducing barriers to help-seeking.
Giingana Gumbaynggirr School is the first school of its kind in New South Wales, with Gumbaynggirr language and culture at the heart of every lesson. Guided by the philosophy of “Two Paths Strong”, the school empowers young people to walk confidently in their culture while achieving academic success.
Creating Culturally Safe Pathways to Support
Many young people face challenges when seeking help for their mental health, including stigma, shame, uncertainty about where to turn for support, and a lack of services that feel culturally safe and relevant.
Gaali Maam was developed to address these barriers in a way that is engaging, strengths-based, and community-led.
Rather than focusing on individual therapy or requiring participants to discuss personal trauma, the program creates a safe group environment where young people can:
- Build confidence and resilience
- Develop practical coping skills
- Strengthen connections with peers and trusted adults
- Explore their strengths and identity
- Learn how and when to seek support
The program places culture, community, and connection at its centre, recognising these as powerful protective factors for social and emotional wellbeing.
Learning Through Culture, Creativity and Connection
Delivered across eight interactive sessions, Gaali Maam uses movement, art, storytelling, body-based regulation techniques, and group activities to create an environment that feels safe, practical, and engaging.
The sessions explore topics that are relevant to the experiences of young people, including:
- Strong Roots – Resilience and coping with stress
- Heavy Clouds & Sunshine – Understanding feelings
- Walking Together – Bullying, racism, colourism and respect
- Strong Bodies, Strong Spirits – Body image, self-talk and social media
- Respectful Ways – Healthy relationships
- Keeping Safe – Coping with strong feelings
- Fire Inside – Anger and emotional regulation
- Walking Forward – Strengths, connection and celebration
Through these sessions, participants gain practical tools while strengthening their sense of belonging, identity, and connection to community.
Growing Together
Receiving the Community Canopy Award is an incredible honour, but the true achievement lies with the community members who brought this program to life.
This recognition belongs to the young people who participated, the families who shared their insights, the school staff who partnered with us, and the wider community that continues to support culturally responsive mental health initiatives.
The success of Gaali Maam demonstrates what is possible when communities come together to design services that reflect the strengths, culture, and voices of local young people.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to the journey and proud to see this work recognised on a national stage.
Growing together. Walking together. Stronger together. 💚
headspace Coffs Harbour is delivered locally by Health Voyage and is part of the national headspace network. headspace Coffs Harbour is funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN Program.
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