Mental Health Commission
The Commitment to Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing (the Commitment) is the Western Australian Government’s response to the 86 recommendations from the State Coroner’s Inquest into the deaths of 13 children and young persons in the Kimberley Region, Western Australia, and the 2016 Parliamentary Inquiry: Learnings from the Message Stick: the report of the Inquiry into Aboriginal youth suicide in remote areas. The State Government is committed to working towards reducing the rates of suicide and enhancing the wellbeing of young Aboriginal people.
The purpose of the Commitment is to facilitate Aboriginal community-led solutions to improve Aboriginal youth wellbeing outcomes and to fundamentally change the way State Government and Aboriginal people work together to accelerate improved outcomes.
*The Commission acknowledges incorrect information published on page 29 of the 2022 and 2023 Progress Report. This should read:
“This section provides an update on five key initiatives that have been funded to support the Commitment to Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing (the Commitment) and the recommendations from the Coroner’s Inquest and Message Stick reports.”
Kimberly Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Steering Committee
The Kimberley Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Steering Committee (KAYWSC) brings together State Government agencies and representatives from the Kimberley Aboriginal Regional Governance Group (ARGG), providing a platform for a coordinated and co-designed approach to the Commitment in the Kimberley region.
The ARGG and State Government agencies have worked together in the development of a Kimberley Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Partnership Agreement and Implementation Plan, outlining priority initiatives for action in response to the Commitment recommendations in the Kimberley region.
On 5 February 2026, a ceremonial signing and KAYWSC meeting was held in Broome to formalise the Partnership Agreement.
The Kimberley Aboriginal Youth Wellbeing Partnership Agreement changes the way State Government and Aboriginal leaders in the Kimberley work together, recognising that shared decision-making, co-design, implementation and monitoring are essential to achieving meaningful outcomes.
For further information, please contact kaywsc@mhc.wa.gov.au.
Page last updated18 February 2026
