Keeping the toolbox full: Putting LifeKeepers principles into practice

One of the key messages of Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention training is that supporting others begins with looking after ourselves. For certified LifeKeeper Tai Tupou, that idea is something he makes a conscious effort to practice every day.

Through his work as Mental Health and Wellbeing Advisor at BCITO, supporting organisations to build healthier and more resilient teams, Tai understands the importance of wellbeing. He regularly encourages others to develop practical strategies that help them manage stress, stay connected and seek support when needed, and he knows those same principles need to be applied personally as well. “For me, it’s about keeping my toolbox full,” says Tai.

Tai’s approach to wellbeing is grounded in simple, consistent habits. Most mornings start at the gym, helping him begin the day feeling focused and energised. In the evenings, he makes time for reading and prayer, creating space to reflect, reset and reconnect with what matters most.

While these routines may seem simple, they reflect an important principle reinforced through LifeKeepers suicide prevention training: wellbeing is not something we only think about during difficult times. It’s something we actively nurture through everyday actions and habits.

Tai also sees learning as an important part of maintaining wellbeing and supporting others. Having completed LifeKeepers training, he continues to build his knowledge and skills, recognising that suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility and that there is always more to learn.

LifeKeepers training equips people with the confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling, to have safe and supportive conversations, and to connect people to appropriate help. While the training provides practical tools, its impact often extends beyond the training itself, encouraging participants to reflect on their own wellbeing and the role they play in supporting those around them.

For Tai, that reflection has reinforced the importance of practising what we teach.

“In caring professions and high-pressure environments, it can be easy to focus on everyone else,” he says, “but looking after ourselves helps ensure we’re able to be there for others when they need us.”

Tai’s story is a reminder that the principles of LifeKeepers go beyond responding when someone is in crisis. They are about creating everyday habits of care, connection and awareness that strengthen both individual wellbeing and community resilience.

By investing in our own wellbeing, we are better equipped to support our whānau, colleagues, friends and communities. As Tai’s experience shows, keeping our own toolbox full is an important part of helping others.

Learn more about Le Va’s LifeKeepers suicide prevention programme