Growing Collective Wellbeing: A Community Approach to Suicide Prevention
The Growing Collective Wellbeing Insights Report (2020/2021) brings together the voices of whānau, communities, and practitioners across Whanganui, Rangitīkei, and Ruapehu. Rather than focusing solely on intervention, the report reframes suicide prevention as a call to grow individual and collective wellbeing.
Through more than 5,000 community contributions, the report highlights key themes: the importance of positive role models, safe and connected environments, culturally grounded approaches, and support systems that are easier to navigate. It also reveals the impact of trauma, shame, toxic stress, and systemic barriers on whānau wellbeing.
The report calls for bold, whole-of-community and whole-of-system action. By building trust, strengthening connections, and valuing cultural identity, communities can move from crisis response toward prevention — creating spaces where people feel valued, supported, and able to thrive.
