the kautalavou pic response to suicide in their community
DESCRIPTION
This presentation will explain a model used with a Pacific community in Porirua, Wellington, to address the issue of suicides among their youth population. Tumai Mo Te Iwi PHO were supported by Regional Public Health and others to develop and run these workshops. Over the last three years, commencing in 2006, the PIC Church in Porirua hosted a unique workshop to address youth suicides in their area. In 2006 the minister at the church was approached by young parishoners concerned about why some of their friends were thinking about and/or taking their life. The minister talked with a local primary health organisation - Tumai Mo Te Iwi to - ask for help. Presentation by Susana Kilioni, Kupa Kupa and Slaevao Manase, Regional Public Health, Wellington at the 2009 SPINZ National Symposium: Culture and Suicide Prevention in Aotearoa: http://www.spinz.org.nz/page/108-events-archive+spinz-national-symposium-2009+symposium-coverageTRANSCRIPT
SPINZ NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2009
CULTURE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION IN AOTEAROA
The Kautalavou PIC response to suicide in
their community
Co-presentation by: Kupa Kupa (Tumai mo te Iwi PHO) Salevao Manase (Tumai mo te Iwi PHO) Susana Kilioni (Regional Public Health)
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
PIC Church Porirua Pacific
Youth workshops
A Pacific response:
Acknowledging the Kautalavou
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
History… o Youth suicides in Porirua 2006
o The PIC Kautalavou (Tokelau Youth group) suggests a way forward o Tumai PHO responds o RPH collaboration o Pacific Suicide prevention Steering Group
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
PIC Church Porirua
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
` Pacific peoples were less aware of the difficulties faced by people with depression, including increased
risk of suicide, and of the prevalence of the disorder. They were also less aware of and less likely to seek
professional treatment for depression, although were more likely to seek support from family, friends and
church ‘(Willie et al, 2005)
Good active leadership…
o Action not promises (commitment) o Making it fit (Strategic objectives ) o A realistic response (understanding Pacific people) o Keeping the support visible (being accessible) o Calling on the Mental Health experts (RPH, SPINZ,
Youthline, Skylight, Health Pasifika MHS)
o Tuning in to current developments in the region (Pacific Youth Suicide Prevention Steering Group development)
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Youthline
interactive
activities
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Tumai PHO Strategic goals Goal 2: To understand our communities, their needs and how to meet them Goal 4 : To work with our communities to provide leadership and support to ensure people and groups work together towards good health
RPH Pacific Suicide Prevention Group 2009 - 2010
The overall goal for the Pacific Suicide Prevention Project : • To work with the Pacific communities to protect and improve mental
wellbeing and reduce the incidence of suicide. • To raise mental health awareness with Pacific youth, church &
community.
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Access to professional information
Opportunities for parents-grandparents to give their views
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Responsible Community participation…
o Calling on the experts (culture & religion) o Acknowledging the Kautalavou & nurturing them to
`grow’ their idea & support them to retain ownership o Providing a safe pathway (listening to their anxieties,
assuring them help is available)
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Milestones…
o 2006 - `A living hope’ o 2007 - `Walking in the light’ o 2008 - `Ask, seek and knock’ o 2009 – `Fullness of life’
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Kautalavou sharing their Tokelau culture
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009
Concluding views
o Important messages from the evaluations o Challenges to overcome (latest suicide stats for Pacific in Wellington)
o Looking for the good things o Keeping the Kautalavou updated
© K. Kupa & S. Kilioni 2009