Your guide to planning a safe suicide prevention event

Planning your event

Have an agenda

Most events need an agenda to give clarity for speakers and attendees. Your event could include the following: • Karakia or a blessing to open – invite a local kaumātua or spiritual leader to open the kōrero and acknowledge those who have passed. • Opening remarks – the organiser sets out the rules and purpose of the event clearly. This is a good time to speak about hope. • Guest speaker – invite someone to speak who is knowledgeable about suicide prevention and aware of best-practice language on suicide prevention. • Q&A – with a panel of experts or a single person? Is this an open microphone session for all attendees, or small break-out groups (if so, who will manage this and how?) Will you need microphones? • Closing remarks – reaffirm the purpose and the outcomes of your event, talk about the safety of attendees, discuss potential follow-ups (if any).

• Closing karakia or prayer .

• Refreshments – you could offer attendees the chance to have refreshments and chat with each other afterwards. This will help build community networks. • After event support – what material will attendees leave with e.g. local support service contact details, information about helplines, resources?

19

Your guide to planning a safe suicide prevention event

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online