International Association for Suicide Prevention
Encyclopedia
Introduction
The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is the global go-to suicide prevention organization. Founded by Erwin RingelErwin Ringel
Erwin Ringel was an Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist who dedicated his life to suicide prevention and who, in 1960, defined the presuicidal syndrome....
and Norman Farberow
Norman Farberow
Dr. Norman L. Farberow , an American psychologist, is one of the founding fathers of modern suicidology. He was among the three founders in 1958 of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, which became a base of research into the causes and prevention of suicide.-Early life and education:He was...
in 1960, IASP, which is in an official relationship with the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, is dedicated to preventing suicidal behaviour and providing a forum for mental health professionals, crisis workers, suicide survivors and other people in one way or another affected by suicidal behaviour. The organization now consists of professionals and volunteers from over 50 countries worldwide, bringing global attention to the unacceptable loss of approximately 1 million people who die world-wide by suicide each year.
The IASP also co-sponsors World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day
World Suicide Prevention Day is an awareness day observed on September 10 every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world...
on September 10 every year, with the World Health Organization.
IASP Task Forces and Special Interest Groups
IASP Task Forces and Special Interest GroupsIASP Task Forces offer the opportunity for our community of members, researchers, professionals, lay people and volunteers to focus deeply on a specific aspect of suicide and suicide prevention.
Current themes include:
• Culture and Suicidal Behavior
• Defense and Police Personnel
• Emergency Medicine and Suicidal Behavior
• Helplines Best Practices, Genetics and Neurobiology of Suicide (The)
• National Systems for Certifying Suicidal Deaths
• Postvention (Suicide Bereavement)
• Suicide and the Media
• Suicide in Prisons and
• Suicide in the Older Persons.
IASP Congresses
IASP CongressesThe IASP holds international congresses every two years. The 27th edition will be in Oslo, Norway, from 24-28 September, 2013. "Preventing suicidal behaviour on five continents - Innovative treatments and interventions" is the congress theme. (http://www.iasp2013.org/index.php)
Past congresses
2011 Beijing, China (http://www.iaspchina.org/)
2009 Montevideo, Uruguay
2007 Killarney, Ireland
2005 Durban, South Africa
2003 Stockholm, Sweden
2001 Chennai, India
1999 Athens, Greece
1997 Adelaide, Australia
1995 Venice, Italy
1993 Montreal Canada
1991 Hamburg, Germany
1989 Brussels, Belgium
1987 San Francisco, USA
1985 Vienna, Austria
1983 Caracas, Venezuela
1981 Paris, France
1979 Ottawa, Canada
1977 Helsinki, Finland
1975 Jerusalem, Israel
1973 Amsterdam, Netherlands
1971 Mexico City, Mexico
1969 London, England
1967 Los Angelos, U.S.A.
1965 Basel, Switzerland
1963 Copenhagen, Denmark
1960 Vienna, Austria
Awards
AwardsThe International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) provides awards for those who have contributed in a significant way to the furthering of the aims of the Association. Awards are presented at the IASP biennial conference.
The Stengel Research Award has been provided since 1977 and is named in honour of the late Professor Erwin Stengel, one of the founders of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). This award is for outstanding research in the field of suicidology, and nominations can be made by any member of IASP.
The Ringel Service Award was instituted in 1995 and honours the late Professor Erwin Ringel, the founding President of the Association. This award is for distinguished service in the field of suicidology, and nominations can be made by National Representatives of IASP.
The Farberow Award was introduced in 1997 in recognition of Professor Norman Farberow, a founding member and driving force behind the IASP. This award is for a person who has contributed significantly in the field of work with survivors of suicide, and nominations can be made by any IASP member.
The De Leo Fund Award honours the memory of Nicola and Vittorio, the beloved children of Professor Diego De Leo, IASP Past President. The Award is offered to distinguished scholars in recognition of their outstanding research on suicidal behaviours carried out in developing countries.
Journal
JournalThe Association’s journal, Crisis: The Journal of Suicide and Crisis Studies, which has been published since 1980. Extraordinary commitment from successive editors has resulted in a high calibre scientific journal of international repute.