Following today’s release of the updated Closing the Gap Data Dashboard and Annual Data Compilation Report, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is calling for governments to do more under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.  

The update shows that at 29.9 per 100,000 people, the suicide age-standardised rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is higher than the previous two years and the 2018 baseline figure (25.1 per 100,000 people).  

“Our people deserve to live long and happy lives, enjoying high levels of social and emotional wellbeing”, said Professor Helen Milroy AM, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi. “But the latest update shows we aren’t on track for this to happen – in fact unless serious action is taken, mortality due to suicide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is estimated to continue increasing.  

“The National Agreement on Closing the Gap provides a clear roadmap for how governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can work in partnership to improve our lives, but the reality is partnership actions aren’t being undertaken in the spirit in which they were drafted.  

“Widescale systemic changes are needed – including genuinely sharing decision making with and building up the community-controlled sector, addressing institutional racism, and providing access to locally-relevant data”, Professor Milroy said.   The Data Dashboard update and Annual Data Compilation Reports are clear examples of why the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Implementation Plan needs to be launched and embedded into Australia’s mental health system.  

“The Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration Implementation Plan was developed by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander National Governance Committee and a Government Advisory Committee. It was tested with community members with a lived experience of mental health and social and emotional wellbeing services”, said Professor Milroy. “It’s ready to go – let’s start actioning it”.  

The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration focuses on a ‘best of both worlds’ approach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and suicide prevention; promoting an appropriate balance of clinical and culturally-informed mental health system responses.  

Media are reminded of the importance of abiding by the Good Yarn Guidelines when reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters, including the provision of 24/7 crisis helpline services: 13 YARN (13 92 76); Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799); Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).  

Media contact: Clare Butterfield, Director – Communications, clare.butterfield@gayaadhuwi.org.au or 0437 243 007