The second Social and Emotional Wellbeing Gathering is taking place on Whadjuk Noongar Country at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle and online from today until this Thursday 28 October.
The event is co-hosted by the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing Project (TIMHWB) at The University of Western Australia, the National Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Organisation, Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia and Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association and is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
The Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Gathering is also presented by TIMHWB, a ground-breaking research program transforming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health care through Indigenous leadership and authentic partnerships with Indigenous organisations.
It brings together SEWB leaders and experts from community, academic, and policy contexts from across Australia including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, community organisations, leaders, experts and frontline workers.
The Gathering aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peoples to develop their own solutions to holistic health, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing by creating a national SEWB network that will continue to have discussions, take actions and to contribute to a renewed national SEWB Framework over the coming years.
The program will see delegates following up on previous recommendations and renewing the national mental health and SEWB Framework. Issues about workforce will be examined, as well as a focus on cultural safety in mental health and the role of Traditional Healers in the mental health system.
Professor Pat Dudgeon, from UWA’s School of Indigenous Studies and director of the TIMHWB project, said the Gathering was an opportunity for Indigenous people to come together and share what works to support social and emotional wellbeing.
“Together we have a strong voice that can influence how services are planned, delivered and funded, aligned with the rights of our people to self-determination,” Professor Dudgeon said.
“Social and emotional wellbeing challenges are a consequence of the continuing process of colonisation, and those attending the Gathering have the cultural and practical expertise to design empowering responses that will make a real difference in our people’s lives.”
To find out more about TIMHWB and for full SEWB Gathering #2 program go to timhwb.org.au/sewb-gatherings.