Members of the Tongan community yesterday gathered together with health researchers and representatives from health organisations for the launch of the Tongan Framework for Suicide Prevention, or Heilala Malu, at AUT University.
University of Auckland’s Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath and AUT PhD student ‘Aulola Fuka-Lino developed the resource with input from an advisory panel. The resource is based on an HRC-funded study led by Dr Tiatia-Seath on suicide prevention for Tongan youth in New Zealand. The study interviewed 13 Tongan families from around the country who have lost young family members to suicide. Their feedback laid the foundation for the resource, including the warning signs to look out for, risk factors, and solutions.
The Heilala Malu framework is underpinned by four core principles of the anga faka-Tonga and essential to Tongan youth suicide prevention:
- ‘Ofa (Love, compassion, care and kindness)
- Toka’i (To give and receive respect)
- Loto Lelei (Humility and open minded)
- Fetauhi’aki (Maintaining respectful relationship)
HRC Pacific project manager, Tolotea Lanumata, attended the launch and said it was wonderful to see the translation of this research into a framework that will be used by health providers to help with youth suicide prevention.
“This resource is much more than a pamphlet. Behind it are the voices of young people and those who have lost young ones to suicide. The members of the Tongan community own this piece of work – it wouldn’t have been possible without their contribution – and it was great to see so many of them at the launch mixing with our emerging Pacific health researchers.”