Suicide Prevention office in the Community

Supported by the Ministry of Health’s Suicide Prevention office, the Le Va Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund aims to empower Pasifika families and communities to prevent suicide and to respond effectively if and when a suicide occurs. Director of the Suicide Prevention Office, Carla na Nagara, says the range of groups receiving funds highlights how widespread suicide is in our communities. A recent visit by the director to fund recipient Zeal NZ provided an opportunity to see the impact of that support at the grassroots level.

The Fund seeks to support Pasifika communities to effectively implement community-based suicide prevention initiatives so that families and communities are:

• strongly connected
• equipped with the skills to cope with distress
• actively building resilience and reducing the risks of suicide
• assisted in accessing support services and
• supported to build a strong cultural identity to enhance mental wellbeing

Le Va Chief Executive Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave says, “the objectives are to build resilience within our communities, so that they are able to identify when somebody might be at risk of suicide, and then respond in a really strength based and positive way”.

A recent article from the Pacific Media Network showcases fund recipient Love Somebody Charitable Trust that is currently developing videos of well-known celebrities speaking on topics relating to mental health.