naeea logo

Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

signicon

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Students in Enabling programs bring a richness and diversity to our universities, but they may also arrive with numerous challenges. For a variety of reasons, students may seek support and advice regarding their non-academic challenges (such as mental health issues) from their lecturers and tutors, rather than from psychologists and counsellors. Starting in 2014, the SIG has a decade long history of collaborations and research in the fields of Enabling education and transitions pedagogy, including publications in several education journals. Together, we have formed a diverse community of practitioner researchers who promote wellbeing, producing reportable research outputs while taking care of each other and ourselves through prioritising mental health. In addition, we are interested in the experiences of academic staff in teaching and supporting Enabling students; what are the challenges and protective factors for staff? The SIG convenes bi-monthly to exchange experiences, strategies, and insights from the literature, as well as offer collegial support network to members.

Facilitators

Dr Angela Jones

Dr Angela Jones

E: angela.jones@ecu.edu.au

A Senior Lecturer in Access and Equity, and course coordinator of UniPrep programs at Edith Cowan University, WA. She is a two-times AAUT award winner including: a 2023 citation for outstanding contribution to Student Learning for co-designing the FlexiTrack in-schools Enabling program, and a 2024 award winner for programs that enhance learning for UniPrep. Her publications in the field of Enabling education focus on inclusive education, educator and student wellbeing and self-efficacy. She co-edited, Trauma-Informed Teaching in Non-traditional Spaces: Stories, Strategies and Scholarship (forthcoming 2026), with Anita Maclaurin and it is the largest cross-institutional outcome from the Mental Health and Wellbeing SIG. Angela is a passionate Enabling educator and advocate for social justice education, and the career development of academics in this space.
Anita Maclaurin

Anita Maclaurin

E: a.maclaurin@murdoch.edu.au

Anita Maclaurin is an AAUT award winning Enabling educator, a trained High School Teacher and Creative Arts Therapist. She has been a Lecturer for University Preparation Pathways at Murdoch University since 2013. Currently she is the Program Coordinator of FlexiTrack High. Previously an International Baccalaureate teacher, a Curriculum Coordinator, and a Teaching and Learning coach, Anita brings to the Enabling space 25 years of diverse teaching experience. Her teaching and learning approaches are underpinned by social justice and constructivist theory, educational psychology and creative pedagogical process. She aims to facilitate learning through conscious language use, explicit reflection on the learning journey and intentionally creating safe and positive learning communities. Her research focus is on authentic and engaging Enabling programs, holistic curriculum design, trauma informed pedagogies and the emotional labour demands on Enabling educators. Her most recent project is lead editorl on Trauma-Informed Teaching in Non-traditional Spaces: Stories, Strategies and Scholarship (forthcoming 2026).

Interested in joining this SIG?

Become part of a community of practice, collaborate with colleagues and contribute to the future of Enabling Education.

Join a SIG

Join NAEEA

Become Part of Australia’s Enabling Education Community

NAEEA membership connects Individuals and Institutions who are committed to advancing Enabling Education across Australia.

We offer membership options for individual educators and researchers, institutions, and sector partners, providing access to Special Interest Groups, national events, research collaboration and a strong collective voice in policy conversations.

Membership categories include:

  • Individual
  • Institutional
  • Renew
lady

Got a question?

We're here to help. Whether you're looking for information, support, resources, or simply have a question, the NAEEA team can connect you with the right people and opportunities.

Newsletter signup

"*" indicates required fields

For more details about how we will use your information and your rights in relation to your personal information please see our privacy policy.