Transforming suicide prevention in Aotearoa: Newly published research

Groundbreaking suicide prevention research led by Le Va’s chief executive, Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, has recently been published in the internationally renowned academic journal Crisis.

It highlights the transformative impact of LifeKeepers – Le Va’s national suicide prevention training programme – an initiative that is funded by the Ministry of Health for all of New Zealand and is changing the suicide prevention landscape in Aotearoa.

The findings are based on nearly 6,000 New Zealanders participating in the study, making it one of the largest gatekeepers suicide prevention research of its kind in Aotearoa and globally.

“Many people at risk of suicide, especially our young people, often do not seek or have access to mental health services or support prior to engaging in suicidal behaviours. That is why it is critical that every person in Aotearoa knows how to spot the signs that someone is in distress and has the confidence to ask them directly if they are thinking about taking their life. It’s not easy but it could save a life and we have evidence the training has equipped people to do just that,” said Denise.

The evidence is clear –

• LifeKeepers training results in immediate and measurable increases in participants’ knowledge, intervention skills, and confidence to act.
• The programme is highly effective and widely accepted, particularly within Māori communities – a critical priority population group for our nation.

What sets LifeKeepers apart is its uniquely New Zealand context.

This research signals an urgent opportunity to expand the reach of LifeKeepers as a cornerstone of Aotearoa’s multifaceted suicide prevention strategy. By doing so, we can ensure that those on the frontlines and everyday community and whānau members are equipped to make a real difference in their communities.

Further research examining the long-term effectiveness of LifeKeepers has also been submitted for publication and Le Va plans to launch a LifeKeepers for Pasifika programme in 2025.

Explore the research article: Evaluating the Impact and Cultural Relevance of LifeKeepers Gatekeeper Training Across Three Training Modalities