Taranaki Suicide Prevention programme

About this Service

Taranaki Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevention Taranaki was established in 2008 and renamed in 2021.

Taranaki Suicide Prevention is a collective of people that are working together to reduce, if not eliminate, the number of suicides that occur in our communities. The group includes Taranaki DHB, Tui Ora, Victim Support, New Plymouth Injury Safe, Central Safe Trust, Taranaki Retreat, Taranaki Rural Support Trust, Yellow Brick Road, Hope Walk, Taranaki R.A.T.S, Family Works, Tu Taki Inc, WITT, the primary health organisation (PHO) Pinnacle Incorporated, interested individuals and other local contracted mental health service providers.   

We meet monthly around Taranaki and membership is open to anyone with an interest in improving coordination of suicide prevention services across Taranaki. If you would like to know more, please email Sam Mahy at [email protected]

Kaiakiaki Ora - Taranaki Suicide Prevention and Postvention Coordinator

Our coordinator helps promote and coordinate actions by existing regional services that contribute to the suicide prevention continuum across Taranaki.

The role is not frontline but helps implement the Taranaki Action Plan by increasing community awareness, co-ordinating training and education, and supporting communities to design their own initiatives to reduce self-harm and suicide.

Our coordinator can facilitate workshops with Taranaki businesses and organisations to inform staff about suicide prevention, myths and facts, and how to start a conversation when you have concerns about someone. Alternatively, our coordinator can link you with other trainings available in the region.

If you are interested and would like to know more please email Sam Mahy at [email protected]

Where to find help – resources

Suicide Prevention Taranaki worked alongside other services and professionals to develop a local resource that responds to the needs of the community. See the flyer Conversations about Suicide for tips and information on where to go for help. 

Conversation about Suicide - English version

Ngaa whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro mo te whakamormori

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and would like to speak with someone:

• Need to Talk? 1737 free call or text any time. Are you feeling anxious, want to talk, feeling down or a bit overwhelmed? call or text.
• Lifeline (open 24/7) 0800 543 354
• Depression Helpline (open 24/7) 0800 111 757 or depression.org
• Healthline (open 24/7) 0800 611 116
• Suicide Helpline (open 24/7) 0508 828 865 – This is a service for those thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
• Youthline (open 24/7) 0800 376 633 or free txt 234 between 8am and midnight
• Kidsline (open 24/7 0800 543 754 – This service is for children aged 5 to 18
• Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
• Taranaki District Health Board Crisis Team (Assessment & Brief Care) 0508 277 478 – sometimes you will need to leave a message 

Where is this service located?

New Plymouth