Hāpaitia
Murihiku: Southland
A whānau centric approach aims to provide support for Māori whānau, hapu, and iwi that experience suicide risks and or are bereaved by suicide. Hāpaitia is a principle-based suicide prevention initiative, that is based at Ngā Hau e Whā marae in Southland, Invercargill.
Hāpaitia supports and guides whānau, marae and communities to coordinate postvention activities appropriately.
This initiative utilises two distinct approaches:
- Resources.
Firstly, there is a focus on resource development. The resources created are Māori-led and offer postvention strategies that can be utilised across whānau, marae and throughout the community, to facilitate healing from trauma and prevent suicide. Based on whakapapa, tīkanga and te ao Māori concepts, these resources support whānau pani (bereaved families) in the social or wider community setting.
- Wānanga.
Wānanga based learning bring participants together to understand the importance of the marae and the role the community plays when supporting a bereaved whānau during the tangihanga process. The content of these wānanga are informed by the voices of Māori communities, as well as people experienced in suicide prevention. Literature about suicide prevention from a Te Ao Māori world view also informs content within these wānanga.
Hāpaitia is a Māori led response guided by whānau, kaumātua/ kuia, marae, and community to build inclusive Māori communities empowering, strengthening and cultivating resilience.
In addition to Resources and Wānanga, Hāpaitia provides a (member only) virtual hub that gives access to online groups to enhance communication, information and connection for marae and whānau. This platform also provides a facility for ongoing engagement and follow up.
Hāpaitia reinforces these goals, to;
- Reimagine: Designing solutions where our whānau aspirations lead us.
- Realise: We can recreate ourselves for positive change.
- Rise collectively: Affirming Māori pathways for prevention, intervention and postvention.
Hāpaitia acknowledges and advocates postvention as an integral element to suicide prevention and continues to advocate an approach where wellbeing and resilience is at the forefront.
Organisation: Tūmua Innovation Ltd
This community initiative is proudly supported by Te Au (and Te Rau Ora) through the Māori Suicide Prevention Fund (2020-2021).
