Waka Hourua: National Māori & Pasifika Suicide Prevention
Waka Hourua: National Māori & Pasifika Suicide Prevention Programme
Suicide is a tragedy for any community, occurring with regularity in New Zealand.
The Coroner’s report on annual provisional suicide states 668 New Zealanders were lost to suicide in the last year.
The findings in the report emphasise the importance for suicide prevention strategies to be available in all communities, to address various stressors that New Zealanders might be facing and that can contribute to suicide risk, such as;
• Increasing the awareness of risk and protective
factors
•
• Enhancing family and social
support
•
• Enhancing cultural identity and
community connectedness
•
• Improving access to
preventative and early intervention
services
•
• Encouraging people to korero about
their problems with others
•
• Reducing stigma
and barriers to seeking appropriate
help
•
• Providing specific support to people
struggling with stress, relationship problems, trauma,
financial challenges, substance use, mental health, serious
health and social problems.
The aim of Waka Hourua Suicide Prevention Programme is to:
• Build the capacity and capability of Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, and Pasifika communities, to prevent suicide and to respond safely and effectively when and if suicide occurs
• Ensure that culturally relevant education and training are available to Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, and Pasifika communities that focus on building resilience and leadership
• Build the evidence base of what works for Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, and Pasifika communities to prevent suicide, through research carried out by, with and for these groups
• Build the leadership for suicide prevention
For Māori Solutions Contact: Te Rau Matatini: www.teraumatatini.com
For Pasifika Solutions Contact: Le Va: www.leva.co.nz
HELP
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)