National Close the Gap Day on 19 March is a chance for every organisation and individual in Australia to reflect on their role in closing the gap around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes and life expectancy.

The Closing the Gap 2025 Annual Report and 2026 Implementation Plan released last month found that Australia is continuing to fail First Nations Australians in striving for social, health, and economic equality. The Productivity Commission has outlined that the outcomes in key priority areas, including in mental health, suicide, and incarceration targets, are continuing to worsen.

The College is committed to Closing the Gap by prioritising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health services and outcomes. Some of our areas of focus and efforts include:

• Implementation of our Innovation Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-26 which is due for completion this year.
• Updating our Acknowledging the Stolen Generations position statement to highlight the ongoing impact of the Stolen Generations on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to provide the foundation for ongoing advocacy.
• Prioritising increased cultural safety initiatives to ensure that mental health policy and advocacy is effectively co-designed with First Nations Australians.
• Submitting the Final Report of the Racism Awareness Steering Group to the Board.