Building Long-Term Partnerships for Mental Health: Portable and Headspace

Venture behind the curtain with this Portable video newsletter, as Sarah Kaur interviews Danielle Emond about creating space for trust with clients for better outcomes.

In the realm of digital innovation and mental health advocacy, the collaboration between Portable and Headspace stands as a beacon of success and mutual growth. This partnership, which has flourished over several years, exemplifies the power of shared goals and enduring trust in achieving meaningful impact. In this video, we delve into the dynamics of this partnership and explore how it continues to make strides in advancing mental health for young people.

A relationship built on trust

Sarah Kaur and Danielle Emond recently sat down to discuss the essence of the Portable and Headspace collaboration. Since 2018, the relationship has evolved beyond a mere transaction into a profound partnership characterized by deep trust. As Danielle highlighted, this trust allows for an iterative process that meets both user and business needs effectively. Sarah echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that trust isn't just about technical competence but also about sharing vulnerabilities and lived experiences to foster a supportive work environment.

Shared purpose

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people. Portable's dedication to this impact area aligns seamlessly with Headspace's objectives, creating projects that are more than just deliverables—they are initiatives that hold significant emotional and societal value. Danielle noted that this alignment extends throughout their team, bringing empathy and lived experiences into their work.

Exciting projects and continual improvement

The partnership has led to the execution of numerous impactful projects. Danielle shared insights into some recent initiatives that have enhanced technical and operational aspects on Headspace's digital platforms. These include website search optimization and services to facilitate easy access to career mentoring and study opportunities for young people. Such projects exemplify the continuous improvement mindset that Portable and Headspace uphold together, making a tangible difference in the lives of young people.

Flexible approaches in practice

A crucial factor in Portable and Headspace's successful partnership is the adoption of flexible working practices. Through years of collaboration, both teams have been able to adjust and tailor their approaches to meet contrasting project demands and priorities effectively. This adaptability is supported by a safety net of open and honest communication, as outlined by Danielle, ensuring decisions are collaborative rather than isolated.

Ongoing support and assurance

Beyond project work, the partnership has fortified a system to ensure ongoing stability and support through a robust service level agreement. As Sarah highlighted, this agreement acknowledges the inevitability of challenges, providing a structured response system to maintain accessibility and service performance. Danielle added that the proactive maintenance and support elements are pivotal, particularly given the vital nature of the services provided.

Looking to the future

Looking ahead, the future holds even greater promise as Portable and Headspace embark on new projects aimed at creating a more connected experience for young individuals and their families. There is a commitment to continually improving user experiences and making service access as intuitive as possible. With foresight into the future of AI in mental health, Sarah mentioned Portable's interest in exploring AI's potential impacts and opportunities within this sphere.

The dialogue between Sarah Kaur and Danielle Emond offers invaluable insights into how strong partnerships, founded on trust and shared purpose, drive innovation and impact in mental health. As both teams look ahead, their continuing collaboration promises to yield solutions that empower young people, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary to thrive. The Portable and Headspace partnership is a testament to the possibilities that arise when organisations come together with a unified vision for a better future.

Capitalism, Culture and Responsibility: What’s Next for Australian Business?

As businesses navigate a shifting cultural and economic landscape, what role should morality play in capitalism? Join us for a candid discussion on the future of corporate responsibility in Australia. Register for the webinar here.

Directing young people to relevant content with meaningful design

We worked with headspace to revisit the website’s homepage and explore ways in which to support the navigation journeys of website visitors better through the site through implementing a design update to improve this experience. Read the case study here.

Sign up to our email newsletter to get updates about our events, work and research

You can unsubscribe at any time using the link in our emails. For more details, review our privacy policy.