First FLO Talanoa training held in Hawke’s Bay

Le Va launched its first official FLO Talanoa Facilitator Training in Havelock North, Hawke’s Bay last month.

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Pacific health development manager Talalelei Taufale assisted in co-ordinating the workshop, which brought together 20 Pasifika community leaders from organisations such as Kainga Pasifika Services, DOVE Hawke’s Bay, Flaxmere College, Napier Family Centre and Directions Youth health centre.

Evaluations from the two-day workshop showed:

• a significant increase in participant knowledge around the risk factors, protective factors and warning signs for suicide
• a significant increase in participant confidence on where to find help and how to access it, along with what to do and say if concerned for someone’s safety
• all participants felt engaged and willing to carry out action plans with their families and communities within a three-month period.

What is FLO Talanoa and why do we need community facilitators?

FLO Talanoa is a Pasifika suicide prevention education programme led by communities for communities. It is a call to action, designed for sustainability and aligned with Pasifika values of love, respect and reciprocity.

FLO Talanoa facilitators receive free training from Le Va and reciprocate by delivering free workshops in their communities. In response, our communities take ownership and leadership of community action plans. 

All facilitators are vetted by Le Va, and criteria to become a FLO Talanoa facilitator includes:

• committing to attending the full two-day training programme
• must be willing to voluntarily deliver (co-facilitate) workshops to at least 30 Pasifika people in their community over a 12-month period (based on the FLO Talanoa programme)
• assisting Le Va to adapt workshop materials so they are appropriate for each cultural group or their specific community group 
• preference is given to people with facilitation/teaching experience.

Are you interested in this unique opportunity to help prevent suicide in your community? 

Here are some other aspects will you need to consider.

Upon successful completion of the FLO Talanoa Facilitator Programme, you will be listed on Le Va's facilitator register and receive a certificate of completion. Facilitators must be comfortable facilitating discussions around suicide prevention. This includes prioritising positive regard and respect for participants’ beliefs and values, and taking a reflective approach that supports the content of programme rather than personal opinions about suicide.

The next FLO Talanoa Facilitator Training is scheduled to run on 29 and 30 October 2015 in Auckland.

If you are interested in participating in this training programme, please contact Le Va at enquiries@leva.co.nz or
phone 09 261 3490.

About the author

As Senior Project Co-ordinator for Le Va, Leilani currently leads the FLO Talanoa suicide prevention education programme. Leilani also has more than a decade’s experience working within the New Zealand public sector.

More about Leilani Fina'i Clarke