Following the delivery of the 2024-25 Budget this week, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia welcomed funding for trauma-informed and culturally safe mentoring and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaged in the justice system, as well as funding to continue delivery of targeted and culturally appropriate mental health supports.

However, Gayaa Dhuwi is again calling for the Federal Government to appropriately fund Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health, and suicide prevention, as there was no mention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing and mental health programs that exist beyond the health system.

“The Budget papers are disappointing, but not surprising”, said Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia CEO Ms Rachel Fishlock. “We need to be looking beyond the health system and supporting the social and emotional wellbeing and mental health of our people before they are in justice or acute crisis situations.

“The work of Gayaa Dhuwi aims to ensure our people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing, particularly through the implementation of the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration. We’ll never close the gap without appropriately funded social and emotional wellbeing and mental health programs.”

“Our people have experienced a failed referendum, COVID, cost of living pressures, and natural disasters, all while dealing with the intergenerational impacts of colonisation”, said Professor Helen Millroy, Chair of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, workforce, and community are working tirelessly to be present, lead, and excel within Australia’s mental health system and beyond it, but we can’t do it without appropriate funding”.

The Closing the Gap Annual Report and Implementation Plan, delivered in February 2024, included funding to continue the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Policy Partnership and cultural safety, trauma-aware and healing-informed training material for aged care providers, however there was no mention of the Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration Framework and Implementation Plan – a key document that turns the aspirations of the Gayaa Dhuwi Declaration into tangible actions.

Media are reminded of the importance of abiding by the Good Yarn Guidelines when reporting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters, including the provision of 24/7 crisis helpline services: 13 YARN (139276); Brother to Brother crisis line (1800 435 799); Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

Media contact: Clare Butterfield, Director of Communications, clare.butterfield@gayaadhuwi.org.au or 0437 243 007