Balit Murrup was developed through extensive Aboriginal community leadership and lived experience. The Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing Reference Group, comprising Aboriginal experts and community representatives, guided the framework's development. The document features personal stories like "Aunty Louise" and case studies from services like Wadamba Wilam, demonstrating real-world applications. Community consultations, cultural knowledge from Elders, and feedback from Aboriginal community-controlled organizations ensured the framework reflects authentic Aboriginal perspectives and practical service delivery experiences.

Balit Murrup integrates extensive practice wisdom from Aboriginal community-controlled organizations, mainstream mental health services, and frontline workers. The framework draws on successful program models like Fresh Tracks, Wadamba Wilam, and Jekkora Spear Group, demonstrating evidence-based approaches. It incorporates learnings from Koolin Balit evaluations, clinical expertise from services like Thomas Embling, and practical insights from Aboriginal mental health specialists. This collective practice knowledge informs strategic priorities, workforce development approaches, and culturally responsive service delivery models.

Balit Murrup is grounded in comprehensive research evidence, including Koolin Balit program evaluations, Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset analysis, and Aboriginal health surveys. The framework references peer-reviewed studies on trauma, resilience, and healing approaches, plus evaluation findings from Aboriginal community-controlled health organizations. Key statistics from Australian Bureau of Statistics, burden of disease studies, and mental health service utilization data inform strategic directions. Evidence from demonstration projects and pilot programs guide implementation strategies and workforce development priorities.