Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.
As a community controlled organisation, we are governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental health care.
On the back of the extensive work of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership in Mental Health, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia was established to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across all parts of the Australian mental health system. Our work is guided by the tenants of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration.
Our vision is the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
’Gayaa’ means happy, pleased and proud, and ‘Dhuwi’ means spirit in the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay languages of northwest New South Wales.
Aunty Roma Winmar created our visual identity in 2015.
The artist explains the work as “three tiers (starting from the bottom right hand corner) representing different people talking with each other, at various stages and on state, regional, national levels, about health, wellbeing, empowerment, and leadership. From there, it shows alliances and conversations with international community. It is about people coming together to find ways of understanding and acknowledging problems, and developing pathways and responses that lead to action that is practical, progressive, needs based, relevant to current situations, and that strengthens resilience and builds capacity in the collective: within the structure of the community.”
-
![Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration Framework]()
Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan 2025-2035
The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan 2025-2035 marks a significant step in our ongoing journey to improve social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for our people guided by the tenants of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration.
-
![]()
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 is an evidence-based roadmap, crafted in partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, government agencies, and key stakeholders, offering a comprehensive framework for achieving lasting and meaningful change in reducing suicides.
-
![]()
National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023
The National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Mental Health and Social and Emotional Wellbeing 2017-2023 sets out a comprehensive and culturally appropriate stepped care model that is equally applicable to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific and mainstream health services.
