In June, PACFA made a submission to the renewal of the
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Strategy (‘NATSISPS’). The strategy renewal is led by Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia - the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention body.
PACFA supports the strengths-based vision, goals and principles of the draft Strategy and its focus on empowering communities to lead multi-disciplinary approaches to suicide prevention at the local level. In alignment with mission of our
College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (‘CATSIHP’) to provide leadership, representation and advocate and promote self-determination, cultures, values and belief systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through increasing access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healers and practitioners and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
PACFA emphasised support for the development and delivery of accredited contemporary and emerging Indigenous healing programs and practices which are created by and founded in Aboriginal and Torres Islander wisdom, systems of knowledge and ways of being, are culturally safe, trauma-informed, founded in deep listening and Indigenous pedagogy and relate with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing framework.
CATSIHP’s terms of reference are aligned with the NATSISPS and can support and empower Indigenous Healing Practitioners working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community organisations, mainstream mental health services and in private practice while increasing access to a skilled and experienced workforce to facilitate healing and reduction in Indigenous suicide towards zero.
As a priority, PACFA supports raising awareness of training and scholarships in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing practices for workers in Community to support the goals of the Strategy.