Victim Support Steps Back as Suicide Bereavement Service Takes a New Turn

A new provider has been chosen for a nationwide suicide bereavement service following Victim Support’s decision not to extend its contract so they can concentrate on supporting victims of crime.

Health New Zealand has tasked Te Rau Ora, a Māori-centric organization for mental health and addictions, with delivering the Haurahi Ora -- National Interim Bereavement Triage and Coordination Service from July 1 through December 31.

Victim Support's agreement will conclude on June 30. The organization’s CEO, James McCulloch, stated that he informed Health NZ about their choice not to extend the contract back in February.

Victim Support was established to assist those affected by crimes. In due course, we expanded our role to offer support for suicide loss when deficiencies were identified.

Although our team has significantly impacted this field, the environment has evolved. We're seeing an increasing number of specialized service providers who are more adept at offering assistance.

Te Rau Ora has been offering suicide prevention and postvention support with a strong emphasis on Māori worldviews for over two decades, according to an interview with their innovation director, May Leanne Pritchard.

"We acknowledge and cater for all ethnicities and cultures, including our gay and Muslim communities," Pritchard said.

Although she couldn't discuss Health NZ's selection procedures, she mentioned that her organization received an inquiry in February asking them to present a proposal for operating the service.

Health NZ stated that the hiring of Te Rau Ora was described as an "interim solution" due to the tight deadlines.

"Although Te Rau Ora prioritizes Māori suicide prevention, their organization possesses the essential network of populations, relationships, and community ties to offer a temporary solution," stated Jade Sewell, Head of Service Development at Hauora Māori Services under Health NZ.

"In the coming months as part of the reconfiguration of the current suicide prevention services there will be a design phase and then advertising via GETS for new suicide postvention services will occur."

Pritchard mentioned that the name Haurahi Ora was bestowed upon the service, signifying "the transition from darkness to light."

The appointment of a new provider without a formal tender process has raised some eyebrows in the sector.

Yellow Brick Road, which provides mental health support for families, said it had also been approached by Health NZ about providing a national service but had not had any communication since.

"Upon being contacted by Housing NZ regarding our potential to broaden the assistance provided to families, we received no subsequent communication after offering to talk about how we might contribute and explore different approaches. To date, we haven’t been part of any official consultations or seen an expressions-of-interest process for securing a new contract related to services supporting individuals affected by suicide," stated John Moore, CEO of Yellow Brick Road, in a press release.

Health NZ stated that because of the tight deadlines and the necessity for uninterrupted service continuity, the procurement procedure included a "review conducted by Health NZ among recognized suppliers, after which a temporary agreement was awarded to Te Rau Ora."

Where to get help:

• Feeling Chatty? Give us a free call or send a free text at 1737 anytime to chat with a skilled counselor about anything.
• Lifeline : 0800 543 354 or send HELP via SMS to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This helpline serves individuals contemplating suicide as well as anyone worried about their loved ones.
• Depression Helpline : 0800 111 757 or send a text to 4202
• Samaritans : 0800 726 666
• Youthline : 0800 376 633 or send a text to 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What's Up : 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. It offers free counseling services for young people aged between 5 and 19 years old.
• Asian Family Services : 0800 862 342 or send a text to 832. We offer services in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline : 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth : (09) 376 4155
• OUTLine : 0800 688 5463
• Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide support service : or call 0800 000 053

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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