2020 C.A.R.E. Heroes

By 2020, LifeKeepers had grown into a strong national movement, connecting people, communities, and organisations across Aotearoa in suicide prevention.  The LifeKeepers C.A.R.E. Heroes Awards continued to honour those who embody the values of Connecting with compassion, Asking with courage, Responding with confidence, and Engaging with the right support, acknowledging the often unseen individuals and groups whose compassion and commitment are saving lives every day.

In a year shaped by resilience and change, we’re proud to celebrate the people who have stepped forward in their own communities to lead, to listen, and to care.  These are the heroes building communities of C.A.R.E. across Aotearoa.

Although no Supreme Award was presented in 2019, we are deeply honoured to recognise the recipients below, nominated by Suicide Prevention Coordinators throughout the motu.

	Petina Stone:  Project Manager, Ngā Parirau Mātauranga; Project Coordinator, Rau Ora Nominated by Northland DHB Petina has provided unwavering leadership within her whānau and community of Whangaruru under the kaupapa of youth suicide prevention.  Her project, Rau Ora – meaning “to save a life” – uses the Pā Harakeke model, where every strand of the family contributes to the wellbeing of the whole.  Through tikanga Māori and sport, Rau Ora builds resilience, fosters leadership, and strengthens whānau bonds within Ngātiwai.
	Amanda Christian:  Clinical Advisor, Community Postvention Response Service (CPRS), CASA Nominated by Auckland DHB Amanda is a registered educational psychologist whose dedication to suicide prevention is grounded in both professional expertise and lived experience.  She provides clinical advice to CASA’s Community Postvention Response Service and serves on multiple national advisory groups.  Amanda is known for her compassionate leadership and her belief in the power of lived experience to shape meaningful, collective change.
	Tina Jones:  Counsellor, Youth in Transition Nominated by Waitematā DHB As co-founder of Youth in Transition, Tina has dedicated her career to supporting young people through crisis and trauma.  Her work has helped hundreds of rangatahi and their whānau rebuild confidence, wellbeing, and connection.  Tina’s approach combines professional skill, deep empathy, and the insight of a mother who understands the impact of loss on young lives.
	Aotea Maipi:  Founder, Y Suicide, Waikato Nominated by Waikato DHB Aotea founded Y Suicide in 2011 after a series of losses in her local community.  The group provides culturally safe crisis support and suicide prevention education across marae and community spaces throughout Waikato.  Aotea’s work recognises the social and economic pressures that contribute to suicide risk, addressing issues such as poverty, housing, and employment alongside emotional wellbeing.
	Jane Tylee:  Tararua Coordinator, East Coast Rural Support Trust Nominated by MidCentral DHB A farmer herself, Jane understands the challenges of rural life and the toll that stress can take on wellbeing.  Through her work with the East Coast Rural Support Trust, she provides practical and emotional support to farmers and their whānau, connecting them with care and services when needed.  Her empathy, authenticity, and commitment have made her a trusted voice in her community.
	Jamie Allen:  Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Taranaki Retreat Nominated by Taranaki DHB Jamie leads Taranaki Retreat, a unique, holistic service supporting individuals and whānau experiencing distress.  Inspired by personal loss, Jamie and his team have created a place of safety, healing, and hope, working with over a thousand people each year through residential and outreach programmes.  His vision is grounded in aroha and the belief that connection can transform lives.
	Sarah Donaldson:  Wellbeing Coordinator, East Coast Rural Support Trust Nominated by Wairarapa DHB Sarah combines her expertise as a clinical psychologist with her rural background to deliver tailored mental health support for farming families.  She is known for her ability to bridge the gap between rural realities and mental health services, fostering connection, awareness, and resilience across Wairarapa’s farming communities.
	Ragne Maxwell:  Principal, Porirua College (on behalf of the Porirua Community) Nominated by Hutt Valley DHB In response to a cluster of suspected youth suicides, Ragne brought together schools, community groups, and health services to coordinate a powerful, compassionate response.  Her leadership has helped shape a safer, more connected Porirua community, one that continues to support its young people through trust, collaboration, and care.
	Tofa Suafole Gush:  Director, Pacific People’s Health, Hutt Valley & Wairarapa DHBs; Interim Executive Director, CCDHB Nominated by Capital & Coast DHB Tofa leads the Ta’iala Mo le Ola Manuia Mental Health Project, a partnership between Pacific churches and DHBs focused on strengthening mental health and suicide prevention literacy among church ministers.  Her work blends cultural, pastoral, and clinical knowledge to empower church leaders as first responders within their congregations.
	Philip Chapman:  Founding Director, The Male Room, Nelson Nominated by Nelson Marlborough DHB For more than 30 years, Philip has supported men and families in the Nelson region through The Male Room, offering practical assistance, advocacy, and safe spaces for connection.  His dedication to men’s wellbeing extends to leadership roles across national and local networks, always with a focus on reducing isolation and strengthening community ties.
	David Armstrong:  Health & Safety Manager, Alliance Group Ltd. Nominated by South Canterbury DHB Recognising the mental health challenges faced by workers in the agricultural sector, David created Mates @ the Gate, a workplace wellbeing and suicide prevention programme implemented across nine Alliance sites.  His leadership has fostered a workplace culture of openness, compassion, and support, where it’s okay to ask for and offer help.
	Verona Cournane:  Volunteer Chair, Postvention Group, Happiness House Support Nominated by Southern DHB A former mental health clinician, Verona continues to serve her community as a volunteer leader in suicide postvention efforts throughout Queenstown and Central Otago.  Her experience, compassion, and dedication have provided vital continuity and care for communities navigating the challenges of loss and recovery.

About the Awards

The LifeKeepers C.A.R.E. Heroes Awards recognise and celebrate those who go above and beyond to prevent suicide and strengthen community wellbeing. These heroes come from all walks of life, community leaders, clinicians, educators, parents, and volunteers, united by a shared belief in protecting life and fostering hope.

Each year, recipients are nominated by Suicide Prevention Coordinators across Aotearoa. Together, they represent the heart of LifeKeepers: ordinary people doing extraordinary things to create communities of C.A.R.E.