Auckland GPS Satellite Seminar 28 June Programme – register now!

Our Auckland mental health and addiction leaders co-designed GPS, prioritising cross-sector issues important for the region where integrated solutions are necessary. Suicide prevention was high priority.

The World Health Organisation posits that for effective prevention of suicide, coordination and collaboration among multiple sectors of society is required. A top priority of New Zealand’s national mental health and addiction workforce action plan is to have a workforce that is integrated and connected across the continuum of care.

With this in mind, we’ve put together an excellent line-up of speakers from across the continuum, including: community-based approaches, primary care, policy, research, district health boards, and post vention services.  Places are limited so register now.

Dr John Crawshaw is Director and Chief Advisor of Mental Health at the Ministry of Health, and is responsible for fulfilling several key statutory functions in relation to mental health.  Dr Crawshaw is currently leading the public consultation on New Zealand’s draft national suicide prevention strategy, which outlines a framework for how we can work together to reduce suicidal behaviour in New Zealand.

Dr Monique Faleafa is the founding Chief Executive of Le Va and registered Clinical Psychologist. She and has served her Pacific communities in the not-for-profit sector, district health boards, academia and social services for 20 years. Monique co-designed New Zealand’s first national Pacific suicide prevention programme FLO: Pasifika For Life, led by senior manager, Denise Kingi-Uluave. Outcomes to date will be presented, as well as an update on Le Va’s new work – an innovative new national gatekeeper suicide prevention training programme for all people living in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. She will be canvasing the current state of play and future issues for Pacific suicides in Aotearoa in light of a growing Pacific focused evidence base. She will also expound what she considers to be some real solutions for Pacific suicide prevention, derived from her 20 years of experience, researching, teaching and services to the area. 

Matafanua Hilda Fa’aselele is the Chief Advisor Pacific for the Ministry of Health. She is responsible for leading and contributing to Pacific health policy, strategy and supporting the development and capability of Pacific Health Providers and Pacific Workforce development across the Ministry and health sector.  Matafanua has been involved in the Leadership group for Waka Hourua national Maori and Pacific suicide prevention programme, monitoring and advising Le Va’s FLO programme, and Te Rau Matatini’s national Maori suicide prevention programme.

Ma’u Fonua –‘A – Manu Finau Fotu is Programme Manager for Suicide Prevention for both Waitemata and Auckland District Health Boards.  Manu’s role is integral to ensuring effective coordination of services and people for suicide prevention in the central and west Auckland regions. With a background in mental health nursing, Manu worked in the mental health sector as a clinician for 10 years, and supports community organisations at governance level.

Roger Shave is the Clinical Manager Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa (CASA) for the Community Postvention Response Service -providing support to communities when there is concern about suicide contagion or a suicide cluster.  Roger also plays a key role with the Coronial Suspected Suicide Data Sharing Service provided by CASA, notifying district health boards of instances of suspected suicides in their regions sourced from Coronial Services NZ. Roger is a Registered Clinical Psychologist with 20 years’ experience particularly in trauma management and recovery.

Joseph Liava’a has been the Community Liaison Manager for Nirvana Health for the past six and a half years. One of his roles is to support the communities in which the clinics are located; and as such has been involved in initiatives ranging from the establishment of Fitlife Otara and more recently Fitlife Mangere, to collaborating with community partners around homelessness issues in Manurewa. Prior to this he worked as a lawyer for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, where he had been seconded for a fixed term to serve in the Minister’s office as the Private Secretary. 

Denise Kingi-Uluave is the Senior Manager Suicide Prevention for Le Va and registered Clinical Psychologist of Tongan descent.  She leads Le Va’s FLO: Pasifika For Life national Pacific suicide prevention programme, as well as Le Va’s new national gatekeeper suicide prevention training programme. Denise will present results for the first phase of delivering FLO and implications for future delivery. Denise has extensive experience as a senior clinician, having worked in mental health services (Adult, Child and Family) in New Zealand and Australia, prisons, and Maori mental health.

Leilani Clarke is a Senior Project Co-ordinator for Le Va.  Leilani will present results and learnings from Le Va’s FLO Talanoa suicide prevention education programme that aims to equip our Pasifika families and communities with the right tools and information to prevent suicide. Leilani previously worked as the Regional Pacific advisor for the Department of Corrections, and continues community youth work focussing on wellbeing through a holistic theatre approach.

Yvonne Kainuku-Walsh is a Senior Project Co-ordinator for Le Va and registered nurse specialising in adolescent health and development.  Yvonne will present outcomes from 17 community-based suicide prevention projects across the country that Le Va has supported over the last 18 months.  Key results will inform future investment for community-based suicide prevention programmes for Pasifika.

Apollo Taito is the Mental Health Lead for Le Va focussed on workforce development and will facilitate a panel at the Auckland GPS Satellite Seminar. This involves growing the size and skills of the Pacific mental health and addiction workforce, as well as enhancing the cultural responsiveness of all mental health services.  Apollo has over 7 years’ experience in DHB clinical and senior management roles and currently completing his PhD part-time, focussed on Pacific mental health leadership in DHB settings.

Saveatama Eroni Clarke is the Cultural and Relationships Manager for Le Va and is our host for all of our GPS Satellite Seminar’s.  Saveatama started his health career in Alcohol, Drug and Gambling counselling in 2011 at TUPU services prior to joining the team at Le Va. Saveatama is also an All Black, and still provides pastoral care and support services through sport.  

Register now!