Suicide Prevention Coordination in Nelson and Marlborough

In 2008 the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) was successful in obtaining two years funding from the Ministry of Health to employ a Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC). The funding was part of a pilot initiative of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy to promote coordination and implementation of suicide prevention activities at District Health Board level. There were five DHBs participating in the pilot: Nelson Marlborough, Wairarapa, Lakes, Counties Manukau, and Auckland.

The position was expected to develop a coordinated plan of suicide prevention activity across the community with participation from a variety of sectors.

To develop this plan the following steps were undertaken:

• a steering group was formed,
• needs analysis compiled,
• strengths and gaps identified,
• recommendations were made and
• refined into a district action plan.

A further two years of funding has been provided by the Ministry of Health to allow implementation of the action plan from July 2010 through to 30 June 2012. The SPC role has been relocated from NMDHB to Nelson Bays Primary Health (NBPH) for this implementation phase, however; the role continues to serve the Nelson Marlborough district.

Click HERE to view Key Tasks

Meet Dave the Suicide Prevention Coordinator