About us

LifeKeepers is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national suicide prevention training programme – a bold, grassroots initiative launched in September 2017. Homegrown and designed specifically for our communities, LifeKeepers gives everyday people the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise when someone may be at risk and to connect them safely to support.

You don’t need to be a mental health professional, LifeKeepers is for anyone who wants to help, including whānau, friends, community members, and clinicians alike.

Grounded in the internationally recognised Gatekeeper model, LifeKeepers combines proven, evidence-informed approaches with the unique cultural strengths and local knowledge of Aotearoa.  It’s a kaupapa that is community-focused, clinically safe, and culturally responsive.

Developed by Le Va, LifeKeepers was shaped through extensive consultation with clinicians, academics, people with lived experience of suicide, those bereaved by suicide, community leaders, and cultural knowledge holders.

Our approach is collaborative at every level.  We work alongside partners, communities, and organisations to ensure LifeKeepers reflects the realities of life in Aotearoa and complements the wider national suicide prevention efforts funded by Te Whatu Ora.

Meet the LifeKeepers team at Le Va

LifeKeepers is led and supported by a dedicated team at Le Va who bring together extensive clinical expertise, cultural knowledge and community experience.

United by a shared commitment to suicide prevention and wellbeing, our team works alongside partners, whānau and communities across Aotearoa to strengthen connection, safety and hope.

Together, we’re proud to guide this kaupapa – grounded in compassion, evidence and culture – to help build a safer, more connected Aotearoa.