FLO’s purpose and essence

FLO: Pasifika for Life (FLO) is Aotearoa’s first national Pasifika suicide prevention programme.

FLO aims to engage and empower Pasifika families and communities in a sustainable way to ensure they know how to prevent suicide, and to respond safely and effectively when and if the suicide occurs.

Under the guidance of Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave, the FLO team includes Leilani Clarke, Aysia Paeu-Va’afusuaga, Cassandra Tafoulua, and Joice Tevaga.

FLO refers to ‘For Life’ and the ‘O’ symbolises our ‘flow’. Flow is the reciprocal interaction that we have in our relationships with friends, family, community and environment. Flow happens in the va – the relational space between people. Smooth flow happens when we:

• communicate well
• have strong cultural identity
• connect with others
• strengthen family
• find hope and courage through spirituality.

These are our top five tactics for life that help our Pasifika families and communities to flourish.