Liejse Donkin

Ko Liesje Donkin tōku ingoa. He uri ahau nō tangata Te Tiriti. I whānau mai ahau I Ōtautahi engari I tipu ake I te raki paewhenua.

I am a Health and Clinical Psychologist that was worked across many sectors for over 20 years. At Te Aho, my mahi sits across training, supervision, and insights & impact. I bring with me academic knowledge from my role as an Associate Professor at AUT, clinical experience, and my own lived experiences of being bereaved by suicide. For me, these three seemingly different knowledges don’t sit in separate kete - they are woven together and guide the way I walk alongside others in suicide prevention.

A big part of my role is about supporting people to feel confident and equipped in their own mahi, whether that’s through training, providing supervision, or helping to translate research and evidence into practice that makes sense in real-world settings. I’m really interested in what what genuinely helps whānau, hapori, and helping professionals to respond in ways that are safe, grounded, hopeful and effective. I believe suicide prevention is collective work. No single person or approach has all the answers but when we come together, we can find pathways that are not only effective but also respectful and inclusive of our diverse communities.

I’ve seen the difference it makes when people feel seen, supported, and able to contribute their strengths. That keeps me energised and committed.

Outside of work, I my life is largely shaped by my whānau and my super needy dog (who has no concept of personal space!).