Gayaa Dhuwi Lifelines National Indigenous wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention line

On the 12th May 2021 Lifeline were pleased to welcome the Federal Government’s funding commitment of $2.3B to increase support services for mental health and suicide prevention in Australia, including $16.6 million for the first nationally accessible 24/7 helpline for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people delivered in partnership with Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia.

This ground-breaking initiative marks a critical milestone in addressing the high rate of suicide in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that is double that of non-Indigenous Australians. The program will be designed, delivered and governed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Lifeline announced that the Federal funding will also enable ongoing support for Lifeline’s 13HELP line, assisting those impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires, and continued support for Australians through the ongoing effects of COVID.

All of this much welcomed news by Lifelines CEO Colin Seery and the passionate team at Lifeline. Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia's vision is Indigenous leadership, excellence and presence across all parts of the Australian mental health system and the achievement of the highest attainable standard of social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention outcomes for Indigenous peoples. Established in late March 2020, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia is the new national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) 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. This report is the fundamental back bone for the new 24/7 help line from Lifeline and will provide many opportunities and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

To break this exiting news, Colin Seery joins host Natasha Ferre on Standing Strong Together

If you, or someone you know, is in need of support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or chat to a Crisis Supporter at lifeline.org.au (7pm – midnight, 7 nights).