Have your say on the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy

On average 10 New Zealanders die by suicide every week, deeply affecting the lives of family, whānau, friends, colleagues, and communities. We need to think about what we can do to help build resilience and hope – so our people reach out rather than take their own life.

Why is the Suicide Prevention Strategy being refreshed?

The current Strategy has been a valuable guide for suicide prevention actions for the past 10 years. It’s now time to revisit it and decide what is important for us to concentrate on over the next 10 years. 

What is the purpose of these workshops?

These workshops will help inform the draft strategy that will then go out for consultation in the middle of 2016.

The Ministry of Health is seeking a wide range of views and ideas. It wants to hear from members of the public, those working with community groups or local authorities, health professionals, researchers and others working in suicide prevention. It wants to hear what is important to you, your ideas and your priorities.

The Ministry wants to design a strategy in collaboration with us all so that it results in actions where we can all work together for the same purpose. The Ministry wants to develop a suicide prevention strategy that is collaborative, innovative, supportive and most of all successful.

Join the Ministry and Le Va and have your say on the strategy on the following dates and times:

AUCKLAND: Harakeke House, 15 Ronwood Avenue, Manukau 

• Friday, 18 March, 9am – 12pm (Pasifika focus)
• Friday, 18 March, 1pm – 4pm

WELLINGTON: Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church, Corner of Daniel St and Constable St, Newtown

• Tuesday, 22 March, 2pm – 6pm (Pasifika focus)

If you would like to attend any of these workshops could you please RSVP to ellyna.fidow@leva.co.nz with your name and the workshop you want to attend (eg. Wellington Pasifika focus) so we know the numbers for catering purposes.

If you cannot attend a workshop, the Ministry of Health still want to hear from you. You can provide your feedback and ideas, or ask questions by emailing suicideprevention@moh.govt.nz or writing to Suicide Prevention Strategy, c/- Populations Policy Team, Ministry of Health, PO Box 5013, Wellington 6145.

Want to know more? 

There’s workshops being held around the country over the month of March. Download the Ministry’s information sheet (PDF) for more dates and information including a quick overview of the current strategy and what is going to happen after these workshops.