Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia
Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is a national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention leadership body. It is governed and controlled by Indigenous experts and peak bodies working in these areas, promoting collective excellence in mental health care. Its Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Declaration is an agenda for reform of mental health, social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention service delivery to Indigenous people based on five principles:
- Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and healing in all parts of the mental health system
- Combining clinical mental health perspectives with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and healing combined to improve outcomes for Indigenous people.
- Combining clinical mental health perspectives with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and healing combined to guide the assessment of programs for Indigenous people.
- Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence and leadership throughout the mental health system to improve accountability and outcomes for Indigenous people.
- Supporting and valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and their influence within the mental health system.
Gayaa Dhuwi is responsible for the renewal of the 2013 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy (NATSISPS), in consultation with stakeholders and community members.
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