Working Together to Prevent Suicide – Core Skills Framework

You can download the Framework or read it on the page below, where we have also listed supporting resources.

We have divided resources into three broad population groups. However, we understand the needs of some people may span more than one group.

The following three population groups each play a different role in supporting and responding to people experiencing suicidal distress. While these roles require different levels of expertise, each plays an important part in a connected system of support, and the core skills apply across all areas.

• Family and whānau, friends and neighbours
• Community and frontline
• Suicide prevention specialists/clinicians

These groups also share core values: 

• Manaakitanga (care, support, inclusion, respect). Life promotion.
• Upholding and enhancing a person’s integrity and mana.
• Non-judgmental care

Family and whānau, friends and neighbours

Includes those whose family and whānau, friends and neighbours may be experiencing suicidal distress. 

Core focus: supporting family and whānau, friends and neighbours to recognise suicidal distress, feel confident in safe communication, connecting people to support., advocacy and escalating concerns.

The core skills: the knowledge, training and skills to support suicide prevention

Knowledge & Awareness of Suicide Risk: Recognise signs of distress, understand how that can impact wellbeing, and where to connect to get local support.

Cultural Safety: Appreciate how cultural identity and sense of belonging are interconnected with wellbeing.

Recognition and Response: Recognise the signs of suicidal intent or distress, connect them with support, and seek additional or emergency assistance where needed.

Communication & Responsible messaging: Talk openly and responsibly about suicide. Confident to listen with empathy, use non-stigmatising language, and communicate hope and support.

Family and Community Engagement: Support people by reducing stigma, encouraging connection, and helping them access local services and cultural networks.

Self-care & Wellbeing: Recognise when people need support, ask for help when needed and practice self-care to maintain their own wellbeing.

Resources for family and whānau members 

Suicide prevention – Mental Health Foundation

Connecting Through Kōrero – Mental Health Foundation

Worried About Suicide? – Mental Health Foundation

Suicide prevention – Ministry of Health NZ

Safety Plan Support – Mental Health Foundation

Community and frontline

Includes people whose roles bring them into contact with people who may be experiencing suicidal distress. This includes primary care workers, G.Ps, nurses, pharmacists, employers, teachers, sports coaches, faith leaders, volunteers, social workers, Police, youth workers, community health workers, peer support workers, counsellors, employers and workplaces, social media influencers, news media, peer support groups. 

Core focus: compassionate response, recognition of suicidal intent or distress, wellbeing and support planning (eg, WRAP plans), and warm referrals.

The core skills: the knowledge, training and skills to support suicide prevention

Knowledge & Awareness of Suicide Risk: Apply understanding of suicide risk, trauma-informed practice, postvention principles, and relevant legal and ethical responsibilities. Practice ongoing skills development and knowledge acquisition.

Cultural Safety: Support people in culturally responsive ways by working alongside family, whānau, neighbours and communities, considers and adapts practice to components related to age, gender and sexual identity, as well as ethnic and cultural background.

Recognition and Response: Support people through culturally and age-appropriate assessment, collaborative wellbeing planning with family and whānau, and ongoing follow-up and connection to support.

Communication & Responsible messaging: Lead supportive conversations using communication approaches adapted to age and culture and provide tailored support in ways people can understand.

Family and Community Engagement: Connect with families and whānau, establish effective referral connections, and support communities following a suicide or critical incident.

Self-care & Wellbeing: Identify secondary trauma and burnout early, uses supervision and support effectively, and set clear professional boundaries.

Resources for community and frontline  

LifeKeepers: Free suicide prevention training programme for Aotearoa

Suicide postvention support for a workplace – Mental Health Foundation

Preventing and responding to suicide resource kit – Ministry of Education

Youth primary mental health | Suicide prevention – Whāraurau

Safety Plan Support – Mental Health Foundation

Additional sector-specific guidance and resources exist and should be accessed through the relevant professional bodies.

Suicide prevention specialists/clinicians

Includes health practitioners and specialist mental health professionals responsible for assessment, treatment and care of people experiencing suicidal distress such as psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, mental health nurses, crisis intervention teams, suicide prevention specialists, whānau and community champions, suicide prevention coordinators and community mental health staff. 

Core focus: comprehensive assessment and formulation, evidence-based treatment, wellbeing and support planning, coordination of care, crisis support and safety.

The core skills: the knowledge, training and skills to support suicide prevention

Knowledge & Awareness of Suicide Risk: Apply clinical knowledge, diagnostic skills, and evidence-based interventions that are culturally and age appropriate, while working within relevant mental health and legislative frameworks.

Cultural Safety: Apply culturally grounded health models, incorporate cultural perspectives into clinical decision-making, and advocate for systemic equity. Understands Te Ao Māori and Pacific worldviews.

Recognition and Response: Use comprehensive clinical understanding to develop personalised wellbeing plans and provide evidence-based support and intervention.

Communication & Responsible messaging: Support people and communities during crisis through therapeutic communication, safe messaging, and respectful engagement with families and wider support networks.

Family and Community Engagement: Work with communities, services, and research partners to strengthen coordinated responses, support grief and recovery, and advocate for equitable systems.

Self-care & Wellbeing: Help teams recover after critical incidents, model healthy wellbeing practices, and advocate for the staffing and resources needed to support sustainable care.

Resources for specialists/clinicians

Specialists and clinicians should seek advice and guidance from their professional bodies for their area of practice.

Feedback on the Framework

This Framework is focused on suicide prevention and therefore postvention resources are not currently included. This document will be regularly reviewed. We want people to provide feedback on the content, skills, and resources we have identified. You can do this by emailing [email protected]