Our communities are leading the change: Preventing suicide together

This World Suicide Prevention Day, the global theme “Changing the narrative on suicide” asks us to think differently about what suicide prevention looks like.

Prevention starts long before a moment of crisis. It happens when people feel safe enough to talk about what is going on for them, when stigma is challenged, and when someone knows they do not have to carry things alone.

At Le Va, we also know that many of the answers already lie within our communities. Our role is to help make those community solutions possible.

Through our Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund, funded by Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Le Va is currently supporting 34 community-led projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. Each has its own approach to suicide prevention because each has grown from the people and community it is designed to serve.

For one community, changing the narrative might begin with creating a safe place where people can finally talk openly about suicide and wellbeing. For another, it might mean reconnecting young people with culture, identity and a stronger sense of belonging.

Elsewhere, it is happening through sport, churches, creative programmes, parenting support, Rainbow communities, family wellbeing initiatives and programmes that give people practical knowledge and confidence to support someone they care about.

Some of these projects will reach people who may never walk through the door of a traditional service. That is the strength of community-led suicide prevention.

This World Suicide Prevention Day, we want to acknowledge the people behind these 34 projects, people who are giving their time, knowledge, energy and care to make a difference.

They are opening conversations that have sometimes been difficult to have. They are bringing their own communities together. They are strengthening culture and connection. And they are helping create places where people feel seen, valued and supported.

Le Va is proud to stand alongside them all.

2026 Pasifika Suicide Prevention Community Fund recipients:

1. Autism Kids Collective – Autism Family Wellbeing & Early Suicide Prevention Programme
2. Bay of Plenty Youth Development Trust – Aiga Programme
3. Brown Pride Charitable Trust – Yeah The Boys / Yeah The Girls
4. Congregational Christian Church Samoa Trust EFKS Western Springs – A malu i fale, e malu i fafo
5. Exalt Catholic Samoan Otahuhu Youth – Youth Suicide Prevention Programme
6. Fa’alapotopotoga Tagata Samoa Nelson Tasman – Taofi Sauaga i ‘Āiga – Protecting Families programme
7. Flying Geese Trust – Wayfinding for Life
8. Fua Creative Limited – ‘Pikitai kiho ‘ulungaanga faka fonua – Cling to your culture’
9. Here Today Ltd’s – Tāne Run Club
10. Hosanna Lighthouse Baptist Church – Lalaga le fala
11. Le Afio’aga O Aotearoa Trust -Pacific Village Stewards
12. LeVaiofHope/Tapasā – LevaiofHope
13. Love Somebody Charitable Trust – Fight the Good Fight
14. Moana Va Navigators of Pacific Pride – MOANA MĀLIE (PREVIOUSLY THRIVE)
15. Nevertheless Trust – Rainbow+ Competency Training
16. New Zealand Rugby League – Wellbeing Waka
17. New Zealand Warriors Limited – Resiliency in Industry
18. Pacific Island Advisory Charitable Trust – PIACT Suicide Prevention
19. Pacific Islanders’ Community Trust – Gisborne
20. Pasifika Digital Knowledge Trust – Ko Tou Malosi, Ko Tou Maumea E Sili te Puipui i lo te Fakatogafiti
21. Please Blow My Mind Limited – Suicide Prevention Starts at Home (S.P.S.H.)
22. Potplant Studio – Grow
23. Snapback Gym ‘Toe a’e se tofa’ Gym Trust – Faasoa Wellbeing Programme: Strengthening Pasifika Youth and Families
24. South Waikato Pacific Islands Community Services Trust – Tama Mango Youth Resilience Project
25. Tangata Atumotu Trust – Mālie Programme
26. Taulanga U Charitable Trust – Mo’ui Kakato Tangata moe To’utupu Resilience Programme
27. The Methodist Church of New Zealand. Hastings Samoan Parish – Wesley Methodist Parish – Mafutaga Puletua
28. The South Seas Health Care Trust – Aka moe Fe’unu
29. Tongan Health Society Incorporated – Langimalie Integrated Family Health Centre – Kete Mo‘ui – Talavou & Tangata: Pasifika Suicide Prevention and Postvention Readiness through Churches and Schools
30. Tongan Society South Canterbury Incorporated
31. Wellington Fitness Community Trust – Pasifika Power Project
32. Without Limits Learning – Simply LOVE Parenting Programme
33. WOWbeing Limited – Mind Your SELF
34. Zeal Education Trust Aotearoa – Lupe – Culture and Identity Programme