Members of Partnerships for Life – Global Initiative to Prevent Suicide convened for three workshops at the IASP Asia Pacific Regional Forum in Fiji in September to strengthen collaboration and advance suicide prevention across the Pacific.
The three-session programme allowed members to connect, share experiences, and consider how regional collaboration can support countries and communities to develop more strategic, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive approaches to suicide prevention. This reflects the broader aim of Partnerships for Life, which is to bring together expertise and experience across countries and regions to support comprehensive approaches to suicide prevention.
Beginning with talanoa
The first workshop focused on introductions through a talanoa approach. Creating space for conversation was an important foundation for the sessions that followed. The talanoa approach provided an opportunity for members to share their experiences working in different Pacific contexts, and the priorities and challenges they see within their countries and communities. Beginning in this way also recognised the importance of relationships, culture, and context in developing meaningful regional collaboration. Further, it helped set the stage for learning how to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
Identifying priorities for suicide prevention
The second session introduced the concept mapping study, “Helping Identify Priorities for Suicide Prevention in the Pacific Region”, which aims to identify and understand priorities for suicide prevention across the Pacific. The session provided an opportunity for members to understand the methodology and raise concerns about participation. This ensured that members were able to fully appreciate the aim of the study and what participation would entail should they choose to take part.
The session also included a presentation from the Western Pacific Regional Assistant, Associate Professor Katrina Witt, on national suicide prevention strategies, providing an opportunity to reflect on the role of national strategies in establishing direction, coordination, and sustained action for suicide prevention. National suicide prevention strategies are a central focus of the Partnerships for Life initiative, which works to support countries in developing comprehensive and strategic approaches to prevention.
Helping Identify Priorities for Suicide Prevention in the Pacific Region – we encourage individuals to participate in the concept mapping study here.
The importance of suicide surveillance and data
The third workshop featured a presentation by the Western Pacific Regional Coordinator, Professor Kairi Kõlves, on suicide surveillance systems and the importance of data to advance suicide prevention.
The discussion highlighted the critical role of reliable and timely data in understanding patterns of suicide and suicidal behaviour to inform prevention priorities and monitoring progress. For many Pacific countries, establishing and strengthening surveillance systems also presents important opportunities and challenges, particularly where data systems and reporting mechanisms vary in their coverage and capacity. The session provided an opportunity for members to consider how stronger surveillance and data systems can contribute to more effective and locally relevant suicide prevention efforts across the region.
Strengthening regional collaboration
Together, the three workshops provided an invaluable opportunity for members of Partnerships for Life to build relationships for continued collaboration. The discussions reinforced the importance of ensuring that regional suicide prevention efforts are grounded in Pacific contexts and informed by local knowledge, experience, and priorities.
The workshops also contributed to the broader programme of regional collaboration and knowledge exchange. As the Partnerships for Life initiative continues its work across the Western Pacific, these connections will be important in supporting countries and communities to strengthen suicide prevention activities and develop approaches that reflect the diversity of the Pacific.
