It’s the last day of the conference and what an incredible privilege to be a part of a community leading suicide prevention efforts from all over the world. It’s been great to meet with people from all different professions but with the same passion (whether it be as academics/researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, or volunteers).
My day started with attending the special lecture “Understanding the Impact of Social Factors and Inequity”. Across the lecture, I learnt about how different kinds of social factors and inequity are associated with suicide including, domestic violence and interpersonal conflict, poverty, and childhood adverse events. Such insights reminded me of the critical importance of early intervention.
Following an incredibly delicious morning tea, I then listened to five different researchers from five different countries! They presented on highly diverse topics including; the pathways of care for suicide attempt survivors, the effect of bans on highly hazardous pesticides, the impact of adolescent suicide on mental health clinicians, findings upon reviewing coroners’ reports in New Zealand, and sociodemographic correlates of individuals at increased near-term risk of suicide.
As a woman and an Early Career Researcher, I was particularly excited to attend the “Women in Research” panel chaired by Professor Jane Pirkis. The panel included suicide prevention researchers at varying stages of their careers. You can’t be what you can’t see – and how lucky am I to know that I am surrounded by so many female suicide prevention researchers who serve as my role models.
To end the conference, Dr Clinton Shultz shared the holistic framework of Social and Emotional Wellbeing. I was moved to hear Dr Shultz share his own experience of being a Gamilaraay/Gomeroi man, and I am in awe of the continued strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Dr Shultz emphasized the importance of paving a more inclusive and effective framework that is led by the wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Lastly, how fitting that Dr Prakarn Thomyangkoon closes the conference with a presentation on postvention in Thailand. Dr Thomyangkoon encourages us to continue to open the dialogue about suicide bereavement – not only so that much-needed support can be provided but also to continue to honour those who have died by suicide.
The conference has been personally impactful, and there have been many touching moments. While the conference has ended, the collective wisdom, friends, and memories of beautiful Bangkok will stay with me for far longer.
Hope to see everyone again in Vienna!
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