September 2019: Samaritans is among the researchers, clinicians and other expert organisations from around the world and sharing its own experiences at an international conference on suicide this week
Over 800 international delegates are gathering in Derry, Northern Ireland, for the 30th World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).
During the conference, Samaritans will share several key areas of our research and influencing work, including taking part in a discussion on the impact of call management while planning a helpline.
The theme for IASP 2019 is “Breaking Down Walls and Building Bridges”, a theme that sets the tone for the conference and suicide prevention in Northern Ireland to build hope for those in crisis.
Niall Mulligan, Executive Director for Samaritans Ireland, said: “It is fantastic that hundreds of delegates are coming together in Derry to focus on such an important issue. Suicide prevention is at the heart all the work we do, from directly supporting the people who contact us for support, to the work we do in the areas of research, policy and influencing.
“This event gives us the opportunity to learn from international experts, each other and work together to tackle the issue of suicide.”
The five-day conference opened on September 17th and will run until 21st across a number of venues. It has attracted several international experts as keynote speakers covering topics related to suicide and self-harm.
Samaritans will be sharing new research about the way that people use its helpline services, on suicide in prisons, and about Samaritans Media Guidelines at the conference. Ciaran Moore, Helpline Manager with Samaritans Ireland, will also present at a seminar on the use of data in suicide prevention and discuss the use of big data techniques on anonymised telephone logs.
IASP is dedicated to preventing suicidal behaviour and providing a forum for mental health professionals, crisis workers, suicide survivors and other people in one way or another affected by suicidal behaviour.
Jacqui Morrissey, Assistant Director of Research and Influencing, Samaritans, added: “It is a fantastic that Samaritans will be part of those discussions at World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and will be able to present the findings of our work to delegates from across the world.”
Notes to Editors:
- Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch, where you can talk to one of our trained volunteers face to face. From RoI call freephone 116 123, text 087 260 9090 (standard rates apply) or email [email protected]