International Association For Suicide Prevention

The World Health Organization WHO encourages all its members to take effective action to prevent suicidal behaviour but recognises that there is no one way forward: [t]he steps a country should take next will depend on where the country is on the way towards suicide prevention WHO 2014: 66. Countries that have relatively comprehensive national response are advised to focus on evaluation and improvement updating knowledge with new data and emphasising effectiveness and efficiency. Countries with existing suicide prevention activities should identify what is already in place and where there are gaps that need to be filled. Countries yet to undertake suicide prevention activities should concentrate on identifying and engaging stakeholders developing activities where there is greatest need or where resources already exist and improving surveillance. IASP recognise the need to provide expert support to countries especially low and middle income countries [LaMICs] where suicide prevention action has not yet been initiated or where activities are being under- taken in a non-strategic and uncoordinated manner. World Health Organization WHO 2014 Preventing suicide. A global imperative. WHO: Geneva.

Suicide remains illegal in approx 20 countries worldwide and attempted suicide is punishable under Sharia law in a further 10 countries1. The World Health Organization WHO Global Report WHO 2014 found no empirical evidence that decriminalising suicidal behaviours leads to an increase in suicide rates and urges countries to "review their legal provisions in relation to suicide to ensure they do not deter people from seeking help" p. 51. Decriminalisation is a stepping stone in the prevention of suicide and requires the accompaniment of multilevel prevention efforts. IASP supports the decriminalisation of suicide and suicidal behaviour so as not to penalise those who attempt suicide or the families who lose someone through suicide. A fundamental part of IASPs global policy and advocacy work aims to strengthen the forum of expertise who can provide a range of support in the development of global policies and national strategies.

IASP is one of the 17 partners of MENTUPP - Mental Health Promotion and Intervention in Occupational Settings a 4-year EU-funded project and supports the European Alliance Against Depression in the communication and dissemination tasks of the project. The primary aim of MENTUPP is to improve mental health in the workplace by developing implementing and evaluating a multilevel intervention targeting mental health difficulties in Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs in the construction health and ICT sectors. Its secondary aim is to reduce depression and suicidal behaviour.

World Suicide Prevention Day WSPD is an annual task of IASP to increase the visibility of suicide prevention and raise awareness globally. Its effectiveness is favourably reported as a policy achievement in the World Health Organisations World Suicide Report 2014. The World Suicide Prevention Day program reaches over 60 countries in which events and media coverage are held in support of national campaigns to reduce suicide. Materials are provided in over 55 languages and both global and national activities increase coverage and community reach. WSPD leads into World Mental Health Day a month later and IASP contributes to this campaign too. Other aligned international days are also supported.

IASP continues to build on existing and new networks for the dissemination of research and evidenced based practice. The World Congresses Regional conferences symposia and workshops provide a significant platform to share knowledge skills research and good practices for those involved in suicide prevention; from academics and researchers policy makers to NGOs and those working in the community. Sessions vary greatly from research outcomes to workshops training opportunities and a public forum. Published under the Auspices of the International Association for Suicide Prevention Crisis The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention is an international periodical that publishes original articles on suicidology and crisis intervention.

IASP is both proactive and reactive to the need for community-based Initiatives by providing the forum of expertise in the consulting and mentoring role where a need has been established through a number of exploratory mechanisms. Experts from a global team who hold cultural and diverse skills have supported suicide prevention strategies and programmes in LMIC. Regional networks can also be strengthened through consultation and mentoring. The ongoing multilevel programme in Kenya continues despite constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

IASP membership is at the core of the organisation and remains the focus for all IASP deliverables. Membership is open to all those interested in suicide prevention benefits include joining special interest groups lower priced conference fees and a subscription to the scientific journal Crisis. Special Interest Groups represent multi-disciplinary networks who work together to pursue a shared interest in a specific and legitimate suicide prevention topic with a view to making a substantive contribution to improved understanding practice or policy relating to that topic. Early career researchers clinicians healthcare and related professionals play a key role suicide prevention and the activities of IASP. Development of this community group will contribute to capacity building sustainability and effectiveness of suicide prevention strategy and action in the future.