Emerging Minds’ response to the Voice to Parliament referendum outcome

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have supported children’s social and emotional wellbeing for over 60,000 years.

Since the colonisation of this nation, we have seen health and wellbeing outcomes deteriorate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The status quo is not good enough for children and their families.

Emerging Minds, like many other organisations, is deeply disappointed and saddened by the outcome of the Voice to Parliament referendum.

We acknowledge the distressing nature of the referendum debate and its impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and Community.

As ever, our focus is on the mental health of infants, children and families. If you are feeling distressed or in need of support, the following helplines can help:

• 13YARN (13 92 76)
• Brother-to-brother (1800 435 799)
• Lifeline (13 11 14)
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800).

NACCHO and the Department of Health and Aged Care have also developed the Connection. Strength. Resilience. portal which has lots of good resources to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples post the referendum.

We would also like to express our great respect for the resilience shown by Community across this vast land, in the face of adversity.

Emerging Minds is committed to walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve a future with a just Australia where every child, family and community has the right to thrive and the right to a say in the decisions that affect them.