2nd International Conference on “Breaking the Silence: Addressing Suicide Risk and Prevention in Vulnerable Groups” organized by National Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention

Dec 3, 2024 (Online, 12PM to 4PM PST)
Conference Introduction
Suicide is a global public health crisis, claiming over 700,000 lives each year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Vulnerable groups, including individuals from vulnerable and marginalized communities, people with mental health conditions, refugees, people facing chronic illnesses, people with disabilities, people living in institutionalized settings e.g., prisoners, people in unequal power relationships and facing significant pressures e.g., students are at a significantly higher risk. Despite various preventive measures, these groups often face barriers to accessing mental health support due to stigma, lack of awareness, or insufficient resources. The silence surrounding suicide in vulnerable groups is reinforced by cultural, social, and institutional factors. This conference aims to break that silence by creating a platform for dialogue, research exchange, and collaborative approaches to suicide risk assessment, prevention, and postvention strategies tailored to vulnerable populations.
Conference Objectives

  • Raise Awareness: Illuminate the disproportionate risk of suicide in vulnerable populations and the urgent need for targeted interventions.
  • Enhance Capacity Building: Equip mental health professionals, educators, policymakers, and community leaders with knowledge and tools to identify and mitigate suicide risk.
  • Promote Collaborative Research: Encourage interdisciplinary research to better understand the unique drivers of suicide within vulnerable groups and develop evidence-based prevention strategies.
  • Develop Policy Recommendations: Foster discussions that will lead to concrete policy recommendations to address the structural and systemic barriers preventing effective suicide prevention.
  • Address Stigma and Discrimination: Challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide in marginalized communities through awareness-raising sessions and culturally sensitive strategies.

Conference Themes
The conference will explore a wide range of topics centred around suicide risk and prevention in vulnerable groups, with sessions organized into the following key themes:

  • Stigma and Silence: Cultural and Social Barriers to Suicide Prevention
    This subtheme explores how stigma, cultural taboos, and social norms reinforce the silence around suicide in vulnerable groups. It will highlight the need for culturally sensitive approaches to break down barriers and promote open dialogue about mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Mental Health in Marginalized Communities: Risk Factors and Interventions
    Focused on individuals from marginalized groups, this subtheme examines the unique mental health challenges they face. It will explore structural inequalities, discrimination, and how community-based approaches and tailored interventions can reduce suicide risk.
  • Addressing Suicide Risk in Refugees and Displaced Populations
    This subtheme will address the specific psychological stressors faced by refugees and displaced populations, such as trauma, loss, and instability. It will examine effective mental health support systems and suicide prevention strategies within refugee camps, host communities, and institutionalized settings.
  • Youth and Student Suicide: Addressing the Pressures of Academic and Social Expectations
    A critical focus on the growing suicide rates among students, this subtheme will discuss the mental health pressures related to academic achievement, social expectations, and unequal power relationships. It will explore intervention strategies within educational institutions and the role of teachers, counselors, and peers.
  • Chronic Illness, Disability, and Suicide: Addressing the Overlooked Risks
    This subtheme will explore the intersection of chronic illness, disability, and suicide risk. It will address how living with long-term physical conditions, pain, or disabilities contributes to feelings of hopelessness and explore tailored support systems to reduce risk.
  • Suicide Risk in Institutionalized Settings: Prisons, Nursing Homes, and Care Facilities
    Focusing on individuals in institutionalized settings such as prisons, nursing homes, and psychiatric facilities, this subtheme will examine the unique factors that heighten their suicide risk. Discussions will focus on improving mental health services, monitoring, and prevention efforts in these controlled environments.
  • Power, Inequality, and Mental Health: Suicide Risk Among Those in Unequal Power Relationships
    This subtheme will discuss how unequal power dynamics in relationships, workplaces, and social structures can exacerbate feelings of isolation and hopelessness, increasing the risk of suicide. It will highlight the need for targeted interventions to empower individuals and mitigate risk in such situations.
  • Innovative Approaches to Suicide Prevention in Vulnerable Groups
    This subtheme will explore the latest research, digital interventions, and innovative strategies in suicide prevention, particularly focusing on how technology, policy changes, and grassroots movements can be leveraged to reduce suicide rates among vulnerable populations.
  • Postvention and Support for Communities Affected by Suicide
    A focus on postvention strategies, this subtheme will examine how communities, particularly vulnerable groups, can recover after a suicide. It will discuss the importance of grief support, community healing, and preventing further suicides through informed care and resources.
  • Policy and Advocacy: Bridging Gaps in Suicide Prevention for Vulnerable Populations
    This subtheme will focus on the need for policy reform and advocacy to address the systemic gaps in suicide prevention for vulnerable groups. It will highlight the role of governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international bodies in promoting mental health equity and ensuring access to appropriate care for all.

These subthemes will provide a holistic platform for discussing the multifaceted challenges related to suicide prevention, with an emphasis on addressing the unique needs of vulnerable populations.
Target Audience:

  • Mental health professionals (psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists)
  • Social workers and crisis intervention teams
  • Educators, school counselors, and youth workers
  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community leaders
  • Policymakers and public health officials
  • Academic researchers and students in mental health and social sciences
  • Survivors and families affected by suicide

Conference Structure:
The conference will span one day (ONLINE) and include the following format:

  • Keynote Speakers: International and national invited speakers- leading experts on suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.
  • Research Presentations: National and International Invited Speakers

Conference Steering Committee
Patron-in-Chief
Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza
Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Conference Advisor
Prof. Dr Sarwet Rasul
Dean Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
Fatima Jinnah Women University

Conference Chief Organizer
Dr. Aneela Maqsood
Director National Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention
Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi

Conference Organizers/ Collaborators

  • Prof. Dr. Nasim Chaudhury (CEO PILL)
  • Prof. Dr. Nusrat Hussain (University of Manchester, UK, Global Mental Health & Cultural Psychiatry Group, Manchester Global Foundation)