Connect with experts on suicide prevention

21 August 2013

Connect with experts on suicide prevention

A conference to bring together some of the world’s best minds on the topic of suicide prevention will be held in Auckland on 10 September – World Suicide Prevention Day.

A brilliant selection of New Zealand and international speakers for Suicide Prevention 2013 will share recent research, practice and expertise in different areas of suicide prevention.

Suicide Prevention 2013 will look at suicide for a range of different age-groups, with speakers discussing risk and protective factors and prevention programmes for people at different times of life.

“We hope this conference will expose people to new ideas, new findings and trends in suicide prevention,” says Annette Beautrais, conference organiser and Adjunct Professor at the School of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury.

Two leading researchers from the USA will speak at the conference. Geriatric psychiatrist Professor Yeates Conwell, from the University of Rochester, NY, will discuss why suicide prevention in older adults should be a priority, given our aging population. Dr Julie Cerel from the University of Kentucky will talk about her work with the US Military Suicide Bereavement Study and how people are affected by suicide bereavement.

Moira Clunie, from the Mental Health Foundation, Dr Helen Hamer, and Dr Mathijs Lucassen, both from the University of Auckland, will talk about stigma as a risk factor for suicide, and how to promote social inclusion. Members of CASA – Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa - will lead a discussion of critical issues in suicide risk assessment.

“Many people who work on suicide prevention do so in isolation,” says Professor Beautrais. “This conference is a chance to bring together all New Zealanders working in this field – to network, collaborate, and to become valuable resources for each other.”

On 9 September, the Mental Health Foundation is also supporting a short Mindframe workshop on how to work effectively with the media to share stories about mental health and suicide.

The workshop, hosted by Jaelea Skehan, Director of the Hunter Institute of Mental Health, is designed for people involved with the mental health and suicide prevention sector or other associated sectors.

Suicide Prevention 2013 is organised by researcher Dr Annette Beautrais, and will be hosted with the assistance of the Mental Health Foundation and the support of the University of Otago. It will be held at Ellerslie Events Centre, Auckland on Tuesday 10 September 2013 from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm.

Early-bird registrations for Suicide Prevention 2013 will be available until 4 September here.

Registrations for the Mindframe workshop are now open here.

For more information about World Suicide Prevention Day 2013:
• Check out the International Association of Suicide Prevention's page to read more about the theme and suggested activities to support the day.
• Show your support for the day by "attending" the official World Suicide Prevention Day Facebook event.
• Please let us know if you are planning activities to mark World Suicide Prevention Day in New Zealand.
• Sign up to our Newsletter mailing list or keep an eye on the SPINZ website for news about plans for World Suicide Prevention Day around New Zealand.

ENDS

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