Our events

Webinar: Reflecting on mental health and wellbeing during the Voice Referendum 

1:00-1:45pm, Friday 21 June 2024 (link will be emailed to registered attendees ahead of event) 

Join us for a critical discussion led by Bronwyn Wilkes and Katie Thurber from the ANU National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research , as we reflect on the mental health and wellbeing impacts of the Voice to Parliament referendum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

This event will present findings from focus groups that reveal the unique challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during the referendum, including added stress, cultural loading, and experiences of racism.

Our speakers will also share practical recommendations and resources that were developed to support communities during this time.

Register now to gain insights into the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and help shape a more inclusive future.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Webinar: Unpacking the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander landscape

1:00-2:00pm, Friday 28 June 2024 (link will be emailed to registered attendees ahead of event)

Understanding cultural contexts for wellbeing, examining policy and government action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Join Professor Helen Milroy AM, Rachel Fishlock, CEO of Gayaa Dhuwi, and Michael Cook, Director of Policy at the National Suicide Prevention Office, for a critical conversation on the social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this webinar, we will:

  • Explore the cultural and historical context of Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB): Investigate the deep connections between social and emotional wellbeing, social determinants, and historical experiences, emphasising the holistic cultural understanding of wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • Address the current policy landscape that supports SEWB, mental health and suicide prevention activities: Examine existing policies, discuss barriers to their implementation, and explore the vision and future directions for SEWB, mental health, and suicide prevention policy and practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • Understand the whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention: Learn about the National Suicide Prevention Office's approach to suicide prevention, including the development of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and its alignment with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 


Event recap: 2023 Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia Annual Conference

We are honoured to announce that the theme for this year's conference is ‘Ways Forward’. This is a reflection on the policy development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention. Drawing on the significance of the 1995 Ways Forward Report as a milestone in Australia's mental health history, marking a pivotal moment of collective action and community engagement in shaping the future of mental health care in our nation.

The release of the 1995 Ways Forward Report was a landmark event that brought together the voices, experiences, and expertise of individuals and communities affected by mental health issues. It represented the culmination of extensive consultations with mental health consumers, carers, professionals, and community organisations, establishing a framework for transforming mental health care and support in Australia.

By choosing this theme, we aim to honour the courage and resilience of those who participated in the first national mental health consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, and to recognise the lasting impact of their contributions. The 1995 Ways Forward Report provided a roadmap for change, focusing on principles of recovery, consumer and carer participation, community-based care, and the need for culturally responsive and inclusive services.

This conference theme presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made since the release of the report, to critically examine the gaps that still exist, and to explore innovative approaches and solutions for the future. It calls for us to evaluate the extent to which the aspirations and recommendations outlined in the report have been realised, and to identify areas for further development and improvement.

Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions, we will delve into key themes and issues that emerged from the 1995 Ways Forward Report. This conference invites mental health professionals, policymakers, researchers, consumers, carers, and community leaders to engage in dialogue, share knowledge and experiences, and collaborate on strategies to advance the social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity to learn from the past, assess the present, and collectively envision a future where mental health services are person-centred, culturally responsive, and accessible to all.

As we reflect on the achievements and lessons of the 1995 Ways Forward Report, we are reminded of the power of collaboration, the strength of lived experience, and the importance of listening to diverse perspectives. By embracing this conference theme, we recommit ourselves to the vision of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, to achieve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, excellence, and presence across all parts of the Australian mental health system and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We look forward to an inspiring and transformative conference, where we honour the legacy of the 1995 Ways Forward Report and work together towards a way forward.

Acknowledgment

Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia received funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

Check out the photos from the Conference! 


2022 National Virtual Conference Presentations