As we move into the second quarter of 2025, we are reflecting on the current landscape and looking forward to a whole range of activities as we step up our global suicide prevention efforts.
The recent wave of global funding cuts poses a serious threat to progress made in mental health support and suicide prevention worldwide. As an organisation dedicated to preventing suicide and alleviating its effects, IASP works to strengthen crisis services, advance research, and foster collaboration among academics, mental health professionals, crisis workers, volunteers, and those with lived experience.
The current funding crisis threatens these essential efforts, and the impacts will be felt most acutely in communities where access to essential services is already fragile. Without adequate resources, many people risk losing life-saving interventions, increasing the burden of mental health conditions and suicide risk. This is not just a financial or short-term setback; it will have profound and lasting consequences for individuals and communities.
As the need for mental health support continues to rise, we recognise the immense challenges faced by those affected and urge global leaders and funding bodies to protect these vital services—ensuring that suicide prevention remains a global priority.
In terms of our activities, IASP recently co-hosted a panel on “Women and Suicidal Behaviour” at the 10th World Congress on Women’s Mental Health in Bengaluru, India. We were delighted to support this important congress, recognising the vital role it plays in advancing research and advocacy for women’s mental health globally. I was so disappointed to miss the panel discussion but it went extremely well and as an output, we launched the podcast episode Accelerating Action – Suicide Prevention for Women and Girls on International Women’s Day. In this episode, our host, IASP CEO Wendy Orchard, was joined by guests Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Founder of SNEHA and Dr Shalini Garg, Editor in Chief at The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia to discuss the issue of suicide in women and girls. Please take the time to have a listen.
At the 156th session of the WHO Executive Board, IASP also supported the constituency statements on agenda item 15 WHO’s Work in Health Emergencies, agenda item 6 Universal Health Coverage, and agenda item 22 Climate change and health. Through these statements, we hoped to ensure that mental health and suicide prevention remained a priority within conversations around universal health coverage, prevention of NCDs, and climate change mitigation.
Internally, I am pleased to share we recently announced the appointment of eleven new Co-Chairs of the Early Career Group (ECG). Representing regions across Africa, Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, the Americas, and the Western Pacific, the Co-Chairs will ensure that diverse voices from around the world contribute to advancing suicide prevention efforts. Their leadership will be instrumental in fostering collaboration and driving impactful initiatives in suicide prevention within their respective regions. I am delighted to welcome them all into their new roles and look forward to working with them over the next 2 years.
As you will have seen we have recently announced two new awards to reflect the broad reach of the association and increase inclusivity in its recognition of outstanding contributions to suicide prevention. The IASP Lakshmi Vijayakumar Rising Star Award for Impact and Innovation recognises early to mid-career professionals who have demonstrated notable impact, innovation, and contributions across sectors in suicide prevention. The IASP Ella Arensman Special Lecture Award: Bridging the Gap between Research, Implementation and Policy recognises individuals whose work bridges suicide research, policy, and real-world implementation. I am super excited about these new awards and on a personal note, I am very happy that we are able to honour two such outstanding women in our field. Nominations have now closed but we will be presenting the award at our upcoming congress in Vienna.
Looking forward, we are excited to welcome you to the 33rd IASP World Congress from 10-13 June 2025 in Vienna, Austria. Abstract submissions and bursary applications have now closed, but early bird registration is open until 5 May 2025. Please register for the congress here. You can find the scientific programme outline and keynote speakers here. I look forward to seeing you at the congress and to hearing and talking about all the wonderful work that you have been doing.
Until then, take care and best wishes,
