Gayaa Dhuwi welcomes much needed budget commitment of $586.9 million into mental health.
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia Media Release
Gayaa Dhuwi welcomes much needed budget commitment of $586.9 million into mental health.
Gayaa Dhuwi has welcomed last nights budget announcement of $586.9million committed to improving social emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention services across Australia.
“We are glad to see the government investing in and better resourcing much needed mental health and suicide prevention support services. As the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention, we hope to work closely with our government partners to ensure this funding leads to better services and supports, and better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Communities” says Chairperson Helen Milroy.
The investment of $586.9million is allocated to supporting people with severe mental illness not in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), children and young people, people with eating disorders, people bereaved by suicide, people and communities impacted by disasters, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including refugees and migrants who have experienced torture and trauma and First Nations people in the lead up to, during and following the referendum to enshrine an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution.
The Budget includes total new investments of $27.9 billion through Department of Health and Aged Care including $6.1 billion for Strengthening Medicare, $818.5 million for First Nations heath, $1.1 billion for health prevention and protection, $737 million for smoking and vaping cessation, $586.9 million on mental health and $11.3 billion for aged care workforce pay rises.
Gayaa Dhuwi works across the Australian mental health system including both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisation Sector and public health system to improve integration and delivery of culturally appropriate social emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention services.
Priority projects for Gayaa Dhuwi include the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration which sets out the organisations vision for a 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 to achieve the highest attainable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples., 13-YARN a partnership with Lifeline that connects mob with mob and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy to be delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Government.
About us:
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia’s vision is 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.
