News

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things to save lives and prevent suicides in their communities were recognised today at the national LifeKeepers Awards, in Christchurch.

Waitangi, Aotearoa hosted delegates from 32 countries at the IASP Asia-Pacific Regional Conference in May. We were joined at the conference by the winner of the 2017 LifeKeepers Supreme Award, Zack Makoare, who has written a blog about his experience.

Due to popular demand, the national LifeKeepers Awards for suicide prevention are returning for 2018. Plans are underway to once again celebrate the efforts, dedication and commitment of the individuals and organisations out there championing this cause in our communities across the motu. 

We know that in Aotearoa New Zealand, men are two and a half times more likely to take their own lives, and Māori and Pasifika young men are at particularly high risk. 

Having lost his job, the family home and his 15-year-old son - Kelly - by suicide in 2000, Zack Makoare spent the following seven years agonising as to why.

To coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday, LifeKeepers - a new evidence-informed suicide prevention training programme designed especially for New Zealand communities, was officially launched by Le Va in South Auckland today.