Community-led solutions needed for Pasifika suicide prevention

A free community event this weekend will encourage Pasifika families to talk about suicide and how it can be prevented as concerns grow that suicidal behaviour is increasing in Pasifika communities throughout New Zealand.

Every year more than 500 New Zealanders take their own lives by suicide; this is more than the annual road toll which was 297 in 2014. Research shows Pasifika peoples have higher rates of suicidal thoughts (ideation), suicide plans and suicide attempts than all other ethnic groups in New Zealand.

Elevate: putting the unity back into community is a free community event being hosted by hip hop recording artist King Kapisi this Saturday, 21 February at Potter’s Park, Balmoral. The musician is collaborating with non-government organisation, Le Va, which leads New Zealand’s first Pasifika suicide prevention programme.

Le Va chief executive and clinical psychologist Dr Monique Faleafa said Pasifika communities are seeking solutions to suicide with a sense of urgency, but in order to understand what can be done communities first need to start talking about suicide and suicide prevention.

“Pacific suicide prevention needs to be led and driven by local communities. We need to talk about suicide, and there are appropriate and safe ways of doing this. It's a myth that 'talking about it increases the risk'. In fact, talking about it increases help-seeking behaviour,” Dr Faleafa said.

FLO is the name given to New Zealand's first national Pacific suicide prevention programme. Dr Faleafa said FLO refers to FOR LIFE and the O symbolises the ‘Flow’.

“Based on positive psychology and evidence-based science, Flow is the reciprocal interaction we have in relationships with our friends, family, community and environment. Research shows that for Pasifika peoples, Flow occurs when we communicate well, have strong cultural identity, connect with others, strengthen our family bonds, and find hope and courage through our spirituality.”

FLO is part of the Government’s national suicide prevention programme for Māori and Pasifika called Waka Hourua. Le Va is implementing FLO alongside Maori non-government organisation Te Rau Matatini, which is implementing Māori suicide prevention programmes, to support Māori whānau, hapū, iwi, and Pasifika families and communities to develop solutions to suicide prevention.

“Suicide in New Zealand is an ethnically disproportionate issue. One in five people who die by suicide are Māori, and suicide death rates for Māori youth are two and a half times higher than those for non-Māori youth. In a 12-month period, Pasifika peoples will attempt suicide at three times the rate of the general population,” Dr Faleafa said.

She said every suicide is a tragedy that has long-lasting effects on families and communities.

“For one suicide death, at least six other people are severely impacted by grief and have an increased risk of a suicide attempt which is between two and 10 times higher than the general population.”

Auckland Mayor Taua’aletoa Len Brown will attend Elevate and said he applauded and supported Le Va’s work.

“All community leaders have a role to play in suicide prevention because communities who are engaged, educated and willing to talk about suicide in a safe manner can help break down the stigma, increase understanding and identify when support is needed for those thinking about suicide or those affected by suicide,” Mayor Brown said.

Dr Faleafa stressed that while Le Va is leading the cause, no one organisation can prevent suicide on its own, and preventing Pasifika suicide needs to be addressed from within Pasifika communities.

“Le Va will be at Elevate on Saturday to let our young people and communities know that help is here, and that when everyone becomes aware and involved lives can be saved.”

For more information about Le Va and the FLO suicide prevention programme, including the top five tactics for Pasifika suicide prevention, visitwww.leva.co.nz. For those needing immediate help for themselves or a friend or family member, freephone the 24-hour Tautoko helpline on 0508 828 865.

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