Developed in partnership with Mental Health Australia, download your calendar for Mental Health Month 2025.

Developed in 2015, the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific companion to the Wharerātā Declaration. It is the touchstone of Gayaa Dhuwi’s work to promote Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention.

Developed in 2010, the Wharerātā Declaration comprises five themes on the importance of Indigenous leadership in addressing the common mental health challenges faced by Indigenous peoples around the world.

The Framework and Implementation Plan’s vision is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership across all parts of the Australian mental health system to achieve the highest attainable standard of mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan marks a significant step in our ongoing journey to improve social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention outcomes for our people. 

The purpose of the NATSISPS is to achieve a significant and sustained reduction in suicide and self-harm of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people towards zero through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leadership and governance.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035 represents a crucial step forward in our drive towards a sustained reduction in suicide and self‑harm in our communities. 

This report follows the National Aboriginal Mental Health Conference, and incorporates many of the insights and recommendations supported by Aboriginal people at that meeting. It is built upon Aboriginal views of health and mental health as holistic, involving spiritual, social, emotional, cultural, physical and mental wellbeing and issues related to land and way of life. It supports the view that Aboriginal mental health inevitably relates to colonisation, history, racism and social factors.

This report provides an overview of our achievements in the 2023-24 financial year. It shines a spotlight on the work of our dedicated team, the resilience and strength of our communities, and the support of our members and stakeholders.

At Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia, 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.

We are working towards system-wide change to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples receive holistic, culturally safe, and effective support for social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention.

Co-created with Mental Health Australia, download your calendar for Mental Health Month 2024.

These principles were adopted as a part of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration and have remained relevant over time.

These Guidelines provide a set of best practice on how to report on First Nations issues, peoples and communities, in a way that is culturally sensitive, psychologically safe, historically accurate and supports social and emotional wellbeing.

Guided meditation led by our Chair, Professor Helen Milroy AM.

A set of actions, based on research, to approach the Voice Referendum conversation with respect, empathy, and to keep the social and emotional wellbeing of First Nations peoples, families and communities at the centre of the discussion.

Think only of this present moment: a water meditation in Pitjantjatjara and English by the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council.

A poem of strength from Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia’s Chairperson, Professor Helen Milroy AM.

Think Only Of This Present Moment, a water meditation in Pitjantjatjara and English.

Calm your mind and relax your body with these colouring in pages.

The interconnectedness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention policy.