On Gayaa Dhuwi Day, Gayaa Dhuwi calls on governments to deliver long-standing commitments through the renewed National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement
On Gayaa Dhuwi Day, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is calling on governments to use the renewal of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement to turn longstanding commitments into funded implementation and accountable reform.
Gayaa Dhuwi Day marks the anniversary of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration, launched on 27 August 2015 as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific companion to the international Wharerātā Declaration on Indigenous leadership in mental health.
The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration calls for a mental health system capable of bringing together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing, culture and healing with the best available clinical approaches, ensuring our people can access the best of both worlds.
All Australian governments committed to supporting implementation of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration through the Fifth National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan in 2017 and recommitted through the current National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement in 2022. In 2025, all governments endorsed the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan, establishing a practical ten-year pathway for system wide reform.
Gayaa Dhuwi Chair Professor Helen Milroy AM said the Declaration remains as important today as when it was first launched.
“The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration recognises that our people should never have to choose between culture and clinical care. We have the right to a system that respects our understandings of social and emotional wellbeing, draws on the strengths of culture and healing, and provides the highest standard of clinical care when it is needed.
“That requires Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and systems that are culturally safe and free from racism. These are not additional features of a good mental health system as they are fundamental to whether that system works for our people.”
Despite successive national commitments and an endorsed implementation pathway, dedicated funding to implement the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan has not followed.
Gayaa Dhuwi CEO Rachel Fishlock said the renewal of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement provides an immediate opportunity to change that.
“Governments have already agreed on the direction of reform and endorsed the roadmap for delivering it. The task now is to make sure those commitments are backed by funding, implementation and accountability.
“The renewed National Agreement is an opportunity to build a system where commitments translate into sustained action and measurable change.”
Ms Fishlock said this must include confronting the way racism operates through systems, not only between individuals.
“Racism can be reflected in who holds authority, how services are designed, what gets funded, what is measured, whose knowledge is valued and whether people feel safe accessing care.
“Priority Reform Three of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap requires governments to transform their institutions. We will not close the gap in mental health and suicide prevention without changing the systems our people are expected to navigate.”
With the current National Agreement extended to 30 June 2027 while its renewal is negotiated, Gayaa Dhuwi is calling for the next National Agreement to:
Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention as a shared responsibility of all governments, with the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration explicitly recognised in the National Agreement as the enduring framework for system reform.
Require the National Agreement’s shared priorities to contribute to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outcomes, including through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, shared decision-making, culturally safe systems, actions on racism, and mainstream service and system accountability.
Establish a dedicated SEWB Schedule as the funded implementation mechanism, translating national commitments into agreed actions, investment, responsibilities, milestones and measurable outcomes.
Strengthen the authority of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership within the National Agreement’s governance architecture, with formal pathways into Health Chief Executives Forum and Health Ministers Meetings’, so Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership can genuinely influence national reform and implementation.
Establish an independent National Mental Health Commission, responsible for independent monitoring, evaluation and transparent public reporting on delivery and outcomes.
Gayaa Dhuwi remains committed to working in genuine partnership with all governments to ensure the renewed National Agreement delivers the reform, investment and accountability needed to improve social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
ENDS
Gayaa Dhuwi reminds the public and media outlets of the importance of responsible and culturally respectful reporting when it comes to issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This includes adhering to the Good Yarn Guidelines and ensuring that crisis support services are promoted effectively. 24/7 crisis helpline services available to the community include:
13 YARN (139276) – a dedicated support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799) – providing support for men
Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – for young people in need of support
For further information, and resources, or to access support services, please visit www.gayaadhuwi.org.au.
About Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
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, it is governed and controlled by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts and peak bodies, working to promote collective excellence in mental healthcare.
Media contact:
Tom Hodge, General Manager
communications@gayaadhuwi.org.au or 0410 088 593