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Suicide Prevention and Postvention

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About us

Suicide Prevention and Postvention

Our position is that one suicide is one too many

  • Suicide prevention is everybody’s responsibility.  Everyone can have a role in promoting wellbeing, minimising harm and assisting those in crisis.
  • The Waikato DHB aims to reduce suicide and deliberate self-harm.
  • Strengthening mental health and wellbeing in the Waikato will make a positive difference in people’s lives. 
  • The Waikato District Health Board has an action plan which promotes collaboration between the Waikato DHB, communities and other agencies. The actions will be done with government and non-government agencies, community and volunteer sectors.

Key personnel

Makarita Tangitu-Joseph (Prevention / Postvention Coordinator)
Phone: 07 839 8899 ext 96582 cell: 027 405 3099
makarita.tangitu-joseph@waikatodhb.health.nz

Eddie Neha (Postvention Coordinator Māori)
Phone: 07 839 8899 ext 96153 cell: 027 297 4909
eddie.neha@waikatodhb.health.nz

Location

  • Waiora CBD, 87 Alexandra Street, Hamilton

Contact information

Phone: 07 839 8899 ext 96153
Email: suicideprevention@waikatodhb.health.nz

Waikato DHB has established a small contestable fund to assist in the attendance at a conference or course. This funding will support attendance at a course or conference that is directly related and relevant to suicide prevention and/or postvention; and takes place in New Zealand.

Waikato DHB recognises the value of partnering with consumers to improve its services. There are a number of avenues where this partnership is increasing or consolidating including the recently established Consumer Council. The Waikato DHB has also made strong commitment to preventing suicide, deliberate self-harm and, for those people whose loved ones have suicided, timely postvention response and grief support according to what families feel will assist them most.

The fund can cover:

  • travel costs
  • course or conference registration fee
  • accommodation costs

It will not cover:

  • meal costs (other than catered meals which are included in the conference registration fee)
  • conference dinners
  • any other purchases at the conference

If the application is successful and the Waikato DHB funds either the entire amount or a portion of it, the applicant will be required to:

  • attend the full duration of the course/conference which the applicant has been registered to attend (for example, if the applicant is paid to attend Day 2, then the applicant will be expected to attend the full programme that day).  
  • Attend one of the concurrent sessions.  The applicant will choose one of the breakout sessions and attend that presentation/workshop.
  • provide feedback to the health advisory group on key messages. This may be in person or in written form.

We strongly encourage you to seek alternative avenues for funding as well as making application to the DHB. It is unlikely any application will cover all the costs associated with a conference or course attendance.

If you require a support person, please indicate this on your application. This will not in any way, affect your application. If the applicant is notified that they have been successful but it then is determined that there is no space available, the DHB does not take any responsibility for this - or offer any alternative course or conference.

Priority will be given to:

  • people who have no other avenues for funding
  • people who have secured partial funding already
  • people who are actively engaged in suicide prevention, suicide postvention work, wellbeing or associated work within their community.

The fund is a finite sum which will be available from 1 July to 30 June of the following year. Applications are invited at any time during this period but it should be noted that once this fund has been used, there will not be any more available until the beginning of the next July and so you are encouraged to make applications as early in the cycle, as possible.

Send your request to suicideprevention@waikatodhb.health.nz (or mail to Suicide Prevention and Postvention Coordinator, Quality and Patient Safety, 218 Pembroke Street, Hamilton 3204) stating:

  • the name of the conference or course
  • the dates
  • venue
  • your usual place of residence
  • approximate anticipated expenditure (registration fee, travel costs, if you require accommodation)
  • include an email address or postal address
  • a copy of the information sheet or flyer
  • your reasons for wishing to attend
  • how you intend to share or use your learnings

All applications for funding will be acknowledged by email or letter. All applications will be reviewed by the Suicide Prevention and Postvention Health Advisory Group as soon as possible. All applications should be submitted a minimum of eight weeks before the course or conference. However, it is highly recommended that the application is made as early as possible The decisions of the Health Advisory Group are final and no discussion will be entered into following the decision. Successful applicants will not be considered for further funding for three years.