Suicide grief loss programme WAVES coming to Tūrangi

Allie Te Hiini (left), Michael Frew (right) and Suzy Taylor (front) are running a free suicide loss programme in Tūrangi. They are pictured with Pen Blackmore of Pinnacle Health (centre). Photo / Supplied

Christmas and New Year can be a particularly triggering time for whānau who have lost a loved one to suicide. A free educational programme to help cope with grief after suicide loss coming to Tūrangi may help.

Open to adults 17 and over, WAVES is facilitated by health professionals and educators, some of whom have had their own lived experience of suicide loss.

Suzy Taylor, Allie Te Hiini and Michael Frew will facilitate the first WAVES programme starting on February 11 in Rangipoia Pl, Tūrangi, on Thursday evenings from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

The eight-week programme is free and open to anyone who is bereaved by suicide and feels they may need extra support.

In 2016, Suzy lost her daughter Georgia to suicide and says as a family, they were left to deal with the tragedy alone.

"At the time there was nothing like this available," says Suzy.

Allie says, "Although I have not experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide, as a nurse I have seen the devastating effects suicide can have on a community, a hapū, a whānau, and individuals. I'm aware there's very little support for whānau walking this journey and few safe places to share or express the pain, loss, grief, guilt, shame, and sadness associated with suicide. I believe the WAVES programme can offer hope, understanding and support to whānau and I consider it a privilege to be part of bringing the WAVES programme to Tūrangi. I look forward to meeting all you soon."

Michael's whakapapa is Aotea, Ruapehu, Whanganui awa and Ngati Tu.

He says he was "naturally drawn to the opportunity to deliver the WAVES mahi for whānau in our rohe, as whakamomori has taken more from our community than it ever should have".

The number of participants is limited to six to 10 people at a time. Suzy says it enhances the opportunity for a safe, trusting environment to heal the mamae of whakamomori.

"It is our hope to run the WAVES programme out of Taupō and Tūrangi simultaneously throughout 2021," Suzy says.

Contact Suzy on 027 285 0061 or email post.vention@lakesdhb.govt.nz for more details.