Reach In, Reach Out

In this special episode, Professor Jo Robinson and Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar bring together a distinguished panel to discuss suicidal behaviour in women and girls in recognition of International Women's Day. Joining the conversation are leading experts Professor Keith Hawton, Professor Prabha Chandra, and Professor Ann John. The discussion explores persistently high suicide rates among women in low and middle-income countries, the concerning rise in self-harm among young women, and the intersecting pressures that shape risk, including domestic violence, financial stress, and major life transitions. IASP’s Suicide in Women and Girls Taskforce works to understand data trends, influencing factors and effective interventions around female suicidal behaviour to encourage the development of evidence-based, evaluated approaches and interventions to prevent suicide in women and younger girls. The taskforce consists of expertise from across the globe, from related research communities, lived experience and minority and vulnerable groups. Find out more. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join host Professor Jo Robinson with Professor Matthew Spittal, Dr Ursula Whiteside, and Dr Salim Salmi as they examine the growing role of artificial intelligence in suicide prevention. Together, they explore the potential benefits and risks of AI, what the evidence does and doesn’t tell us about predicting and reducing suicide risk, and how evidence gaps shape trust and real-world use. A thoughtful conversation on innovation, ethics, and what responsible progress in AI and suicide prevention should look like moving forward. We acknowledge that this episode includes discussion of suicide methods, which some listeners may find distressing. While these conversations are intended to support understanding and prevention, we recognise the importance of approaching such topics with care to minimise the risk of harm. IASP promotes guidance on safe communication about suicide, encouraging responsible discussion that increases awareness and understanding of its complexities while prioritising safety and sensitivity. Find out more.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join host, Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas and guest speaker Francisco Valenzuela as they discuss how Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) work can quietly erode mental health, strain families, and elevate suicide risk if workplaces aren’t designed with human realities in mind. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group. Francisco shares how FIFO environments create a high-risk ecosystem shaped by isolation, long rotations, masculine norms, fatigue, and limited access to care - and how those same systems can be redesigned to protect lives, strengthen culture, and improve the bottom line.

Join Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas with guest speaker Dr Colleen Saringer as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group.  Dr Colleen Saringer is a Workplace Culture and Mental Health Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, and Researcher. Drawing on her experience navigating the complexities of two family-owned construction businesses, she has seen firsthand how work and workplace culture can significantly influence mental health. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join host Temitayo Eniola Omigbule in conversation with Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh and Merab Mulindi as they explore the vital role of communities in promoting mental well-being and preventing suicide. In this episode, our guests share their experiences, highlighting the power of local engagement, culturally responsive support, and grassroots initiatives in fostering resilience and improving access to care. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

On this International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, we’re highlighting the power of lived experience in suicide prevention. This episode explores how personal experiences of suicide loss intersect with scientific knowledge to shape better understanding, research, and support.  Join our host, Professor Chan Lai Fong and special guest, Founder of AWAS Malaysia, Alia Ali, as they discuss the importance of meaningfully including and empowering people with lived experience, the challenges and ethical considerations involved, and how these insights can transform global suicide prevention efforts. Hear inspiring perspectives on how lived experience is challenging traditional approaches, guiding innovation, and giving hope for a future where science and personal insight work hand in hand. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

In this special World Suicide Prevention Day episode of the IASP Reach In, Reach Out podcast, IASP CEO Wendy Orchard is joined by guests Jetha Devapura, CEO and Founder of the CCC Foundation and creator of the Let’sTALK Program, and Dr Mohammed Audu, CEO and Founder of the Dr Mohammed Audu Foundation, Registrar of the Psychotherapeutic & Counseling Research Institute (PCRI) Nigeria, and Chairman of the Africa Suicide Prevention Association (ASPA). Together, they explore this year’s theme, Changing the Narrative on Suicide, reflecting on the power of open dialogue, community-led initiatives, and global collaboration to challenge stigma and inspire hope. We acknowledge that certain language within this episode is problematic when discussing suicide. Safe language aims to reduce the risk of harm whilst increasing awareness and understanding of suicide and its complexities. IASP promotes a guide to language that does not vilify those who use terminology we advocate against, but encourages the adoption of preferred terminology. Find out more.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join host, Dr Vikas Arya, with guests, Jayeta Biswas and Dr Victoria Helmly as they share their personal stories of suicide loss and bereavement.  Losing a loved one to suicide is painful and distressing, and it is important to look after yourself and prioritise your own self-care. Some organisations specialise in supporting those who have lost someone to suicide, and you can find these on our website here. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you. Further resources: https://widowsvoice.com/post/author/vhelmly/ 

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests, Muzafar Ali and Professor Nicholas Procter, as they discuss mental health and suicide risk among refugees. Former Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, Muzafar Ali, is the CEO and Co-Founder of the Cisarua Refugee Learning Centre and Cisarua Learning. Professor Nicholas Procter is the Professorial Discipline Lead Nursing, Professor of Nursing and Chair: Mental Health Nursing, Clinical and Health Sciences at the University of South Australia.  We acknowledge that certain language within this episode is problematic when discussing suicide. Safe language aims to reduce the risk of harm whilst increasing awareness and understanding of suicide and its complexities. IASP promotes a guide to language that does not vilify those who use terminology we advocate against, but encourages the adoption of preferred terminology. Find out more.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Jorgen Gullestrup with guest speaker Justin Geange, as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group.  Justin Geange is a survivor of a work-related suicide attempt who has since dedicated his life to supporting others. Now a Field Officer with the charity MATES in Construction, Justin shares his powerful story - exploring the circumstances surrounding his attempt, the lessons he’s learned, and how he's using that experience to help hundreds of fellow workers. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join our host, IASP CEO Wendy Orchard, with guests Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar, Founder of SNEHA and Dr Shalini Garg, Editor in Chief at The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia as they discuss the issue of suicide in women and girls. In this special International Women's Day episode of the Reach In, Reach Out podcast, experts explore: - Why suicide rates are increasing for women and girls, particularly in parts of Asia. - The urgent need for research on maternal mental health, domestic violence, and abortion access. - How integrating suicide prevention into women’s health programs can save lives. - A call for a multi-sectoral approach to tackling gender-specific suicide risks. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas with guest speakers, Kim Fortin and Lyseria Kursave as they discuss the impact of discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group.  This episode contains strong language that some listeners may find offensive. This podcast episode also contains discussions that include mentions of methods of suicide. We understand that this content may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritise your well-being; you may choose not to listen if you feel it could be upsetting. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted support network or a local crisis helpline.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests, Professor Keith Hawton CBE and Professor Michael Eddleston as they discuss the restriction of access to means for suicide prevention.  This podcast episode contains discussions that include mentions of methods of suicide. We understand that this content may be distressing for some listeners. Please prioritise your well-being; you may choose not to listen if you feel it could be upsetting. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted support network or a local crisis helpline.  We also acknowledge that sharing details of suicide method and location when discussing suicide should be avoided. Safe language aims to reduce the risk of harm whilst increasing awareness and understanding of suicide and its complexities.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas with guest speaker, Kimberly Williams, spokesperson for End Workplace Abuse as they discuss workplace abuse and its connection to suicidal intensity. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests, Marc Bryant and Dr Anna Baran as they discuss the role of education and training in suicide prevention.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests, Dr Dan Reidenberg and Dr Karen Scavacini as they discuss media and suicide prevention.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you. Further Information: Preventing suicide: a resource for media professionals

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests, Professor Charity S. Akotia and Dr Ravivarma Rao Panirselvam as they discuss stigma and suicide prevention.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you. Further Information: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1363461518802966  https://journals.lww.com/mjp/fulltext/2022/07000/prosecuted_for_attempting_suicide__a_retrospective.4.aspx 

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with guests Dr Daiane Borges Machado and Dr Amy Chandler as they discuss the social determinants of suicide.  Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.   Further Information: https://suicide-cultures.ed.ac.uk/ https://blogs.ed.ac.uk/suicide-in-as-politics/ https://www.routledge.com/Suicide-and-Social-Justice-New-Perspectives-on-the-Politics-of-Suicide-and-Suicide-Prevention/Button-Marsh/p/book/9781138601840 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00380261231212764 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1368431018804154 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09581596.2021.1908959 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0038026119854863  

Join Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas and Jorgen Gullestrup with guests, Dr John Fitzgerald, Registered Clinical Psychologist and Lead at "Mentally Healthy Work" alongside Timothy Irving, Deputy Director, Directorate of Construction, US DOL/Occupational Safety and Health Administration as they discuss work-related suicide. Hosted by the IASP Suicide and the Workplace Special Interest Group. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.

Join Professor Rory O'Connor with special guest Dr Hazel Marzetti, as they discuss LGBTQ+ youth and suicide prevention. Hazel was awarded the People's Choice Award at the IASP 32nd World Congress Pecha Kucha Event this year.  Further information:  Suicide in/as Politics homepage. Suicide in/as Politics digital gallery. The rain within the rainbow. Discussions of suicide can be overwhelming; if you are struggling and would like to seek further support, we encourage you to visit Find A Helpline, where you can connect to helpline support near you.