What is Social and Emotional Wellbeing?

Social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) is a holistic view of health which incorporates the physical, social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of individuals and their communities. Many issues identified as SEWB problems, are also well-established risk factors for mental health disorders.

About the SEWB Team:

We are a culturally safe and dedicated team who can support you to reach your goals in achieving overall wellbeing.
The SEWB team consists of: Aboriginal Health Workers, Youth Workers, Counsellors, AOD, and Family Violence support.

SEWB Services/Programs

The SEWB team provides a range of services and programs including:
  • Brief Counselling
  • Trauma and Long-Term Counselling
  • AOD Support
  • Men’s and Women’s Business
  • Youth Programs (5-25 years)
  • Yarning and Healing Circles
  • Health Promotion Events
  • Cultural Events
  • Social Events (e.g. Cuppa and a Yarn)
  • Family Violence Support
For more information contact Reception on 03 5356 4751

The SEWB Model

The SEWB Model is a therapeutic, strengths-based approach to working with mental health and wellbeing. The aim is to emphasise the importance of building strengths, resilience and connectedness in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities as pathways to positive wellbeing.
The SEWB wheel represents holistic healing and includes protective factors that support good mental health for Aboriginal Communities. These include connection to: body and behaviours, mind and emotions, family and kinship, community, culture, country and land; and spirit, spirituality, and ancestors.
The outer wheel speaks to how these factors interact with social, historical, and political determinants of health and wellbeing, and the importance of each element in keeping well.
Connection to mind and emotions
Includes mental health disorders and the importance of positive feelings and wellness.
Connection to body and behaviours
Physical health – feeling strong and healthy and able to physically participate as fully as possible in life.
Connection to family and kinship
Includes family and kinship relations, systems of reciprocity and caring i.e., respect for elders.
Connection to community
A connection to community provides opportunities for individuals/families to connect, support each other and work together. Includes cultural structures of responsibility and obligation
Connection to culture
Includes cultural expressions and activities, cultural knowledge and cultural identity.
Connection to land and country
Includes the experience of belonging to country, a traditional spiritual connection to kin and culture through country and a yearning to heal country.
Connection to ancestors and spirituality
Includes indigenous knowledge and belief systems, traditional and cultural healing practices, sacred sites, values of wisdom and hope.
Connection to mind and emotions
Includes mental health disorders and the importance of positive feelings and wellness.
Connection to body and behaviours
Physical health – feeling strong and healthy and able to physically participate as fully as possible in life.
Connection to family and kinship
Includes family and kinship relations, systems of reciprocity and caring i.e., respect for elders.
Connection to community
A connection to community provides opportunities for individuals/families to connect, support each other and work together. Includes cultural structures of responsibility and obligation
Connection to culture
Includes cultural expressions and activities, cultural knowledge and cultural identity.
Connection to land and country
Includes the experience of belonging to country, a traditional spiritual connection to kin and culture through country and a yearning to heal country.
Connection to ancestors and spirituality
Includes indigenous knowledge and belief systems, traditional and cultural healing practices, sacred sites, values of wisdom and hope.