Turning the tide together

Le Va is delighted to be an official partner of the 2018 International Association of Suicide Prevention Asia Pacific Conference. 

We invite you to join us on 2-5 May 2018 at Waitangi to contribute to the formulation of cohesive, relevant and evidence based strategies to prevent suicide across the region. With the theme of “Turning the tide together”, this particular conference will focus on evidence based research, best practice and innovative suicide prevention activities. 

Le Va has been honoured to be part of the conference Scientific Committee and Advisory Group.

As part of the conference, Le Va is hosting a free pre-conference workshop for local Māori in the region: LifeKeepers suicide prevention training for Māori. The aim of the workshop is to equip locals with the knowledge and skills to help prevent suicide in their local communities. It is delivered through a Māori lens, weaving te reo me ona tikanga, nga whakataukī and māturanga Māori.

The impressive line-up of speakers includes internationally acclaimed Professor Jane Pirkis (IASP president), Professor Paul Yip from Japan, indigenous leader Professor Patricia Dudgeon from Australia, Dr Lai Fong Chan from Malaysia, Dr Steven Stack from the USA, and many more. From Aotearoa we are proud to support Professor Sir Mason Durie, Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath, Dr Kahu McClintock, and Professor Sunny Collings.

There are also post conference workshops that will be held on Saturday 5 May from 1.30pm-6.00pm.

• “Building Hope in Hopeless Situations with Suicidal Persons” – Brian L Mishara, Ph.D., Director, Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide, Ethical Issues and End of Life Practices (CRISE); Professor, Psychology Department, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal (Québec), Canada with assistance from Vanda Scott, OBE, IASP International Advisor, Gondrin, France. 
• “Introduction to Mindfulness”- Stephen Archer is a mindfulness educator and trainer. He is Director of Mindfulness Training www.mindfulness-training.co.nz and an associate of Mindfulness Works. 
• “Responding to the impact of suicide – turning the tide by enabling and supporting those affected by suicide” – Jill Fisher. Internationally recognised for her work in the areas of suicide prevention, postvention and mental health, Jill has a special interest in the areas of crisis and traumatic loss and grief. 

Please make sure to register for the conference on the website. Registrations close Friday, 20 April. 

We acknowledge our wonderful partners, Te Rau Matatini and CASA, and we look forward to this conference bringing together researchers, practitioners, cultural leaders, community leaders, programme planners, policy makers, students, and those affected by suicide.