The World Health Assembly is the annual decision-making meeting of WHO, bringing together its 194 Member States to review the state of global health and agree shared priorities. The topics that gain attention here help shape what countries focus on, fund and act upon at home, which is why securing a place for suicide prevention on this agenda matters so much. As a non-state actor in official relations with the World Health Organization, our participation in the World Health Assembly is a significant opportunity to advocate for suicide prevention.
Mental health and suicide prevention featured throughout the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in May, particularly raised across agendas spanning non-communicable diseases, universal health coverage, digital governance and the future of global health itself, and through three dedicated side events in which IASP partnered on.
In May, IASP co-hosted an important side event during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, alongside Orygen, Safe Online, and Crisis Text Line. The event brought together representatives from governments, civil society, international organisations, research institutions, and the technology sector to examine the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, social media, and suicide prevention.
The discussion highlighted the increasing influence of AI systems and digital platforms on how people communicate, seek support, and access information. Participants explored the urgent need to ensure that these digital environments are designed and governed in ways that promote safety, transparency, and accountability, particularly for individuals who may be vulnerable to suicide and self-harm.
Researchers, civil society representatives, and young people shared perspectives on how emerging technologies can be developed and regulated to better protect users and reduce potential harms. The session provided an important platform for dialogue on the role of digital technologies in public health and the collective responsibility to create safer online spaces.
By hosting this side event, IASP reinforced its commitment to working with governments, civil society, and international partners to ensure that suicide prevention remains a priority within global health agendas, including those shaping the future of artificial intelligence and online safety. The event underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors as we work towards digital environments that support wellbeing, strengthen suicide prevention efforts, and protect vulnerable communities worldwide.
Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing how people, and young people in particular, seek information, form relationships and reach for support. At the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, IASP had the pleasure of coordinating a side event that brought these changes together with the question of safety. […]
The World Health Assembly is the annual decision-making meeting of the World Health Organization, bringing together its 194 Member States to review the state of global health and agree shared priorities. The topics that gain attention here help shape what countries focus on, fund and act upon at home, which […]
