Media release
The Suicide Prevention Office has launched a website called He Kāpehu Whetū (a Māori star compass). This website is designed to inspire community leaders and communities across Aotearoa who want to address the needs they see in their areas and take action to develop their own initiatives.
He Kāpehu Whetū aims to share these stories to inspire more action. The website highlights some of the incredible work already happening across the motu.
Some of these stories are very personal and we thank all the contributors and the people they are supporting, for giving us permission to share their stories and link to the work they do.
Acting Deputy Director-General, Mental Health and Addiction Philip Grady says “There is no one-size-fits-all in suicide prevention, and different cultural and ethnic groups must be supported and empowered to design and deliver their own approaches to suicide prevention.
“Suicide prevention should rest with communities, with whānau, with community leadership and with community services, supported in a sustainable way by local and central government,” says Philip.
Also announced today are the successful applicants of the Māori Suicide Prevention Fund and the Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund. These funds provide approximately $2.5 million in community funding to organisations to deliver programmes across Aotearoa to prevent suicide and provide support to whānau and friends bereaved by suicide. Some of the initiatives on Te Kāpehu Whetū have been supported through these community funds.
For more information about the successful recipients of the 2020-21 year funding, please visit the Te Rau Ora and Le Va websites.
Where to get help
Helplines and counselling
- Need to talk? - free call or text 1737 anytime
- The Depression helpline – 0800 111 757 or free text 4202
- Alcohol drug helpline – 0800 787 797
- Gambling helpline – 0800 654 655
- Healthline – 0800 611 116 (to get help from a registered nurse 24/7)
- Lifeline – 0800 543 354
- Samaritans – 0800 726 666
- Chinese Lifeline – 0800 888 880 (for people who speak Mandarin or Cantonese)