Supporters of Kaikohe's contribution to National Suicide Awareness Day form a heart inside a heart of shoes representing those who took their own lives in the last year. Photo / Debbie Beadle
Willi Henley had no trouble finding folk to support Kaikohe's contribution to National Suicide Awareness Day at Lindvart Park on Sunday.
Pairs of shoes were carefully placed to represent those who had taken their own lives in the last year. Mr Henley said no one was immune from suicide's "long-reaching
pain".
"We are all responsible in changing this. We have to be," he said.
"There is enough of us to make it right, and I just wanted to give our community the opportunity to gather and start a safe, healthy conversation, offering support to each other, and share past lessons and successes."
Sunday's response, on a cold, wet day with less than a week's notice, showed what could happen when people cared, he added. Those people would go back to their homes in Kaeo, Kerikeri, Kawakawa, the Hokianga, Tautoro and Kaikohe, "even a couple from Finland," and start another conversation, offering hope and encouragement.
"I am starting a Facebook page (Choose Life), where everyone is welcome to offer and accept tautoko/support and aroha/love, another contact point for awhi/help. Every day, be kind to one another," Mr Henley said.
