SBRL Blog: ESSSB17 - It’s great to feel part of the suicide research community

The presentations covered a vast range of perspectives and research methods; from basic science to interventions and epidemiology. The plenary sessions had engaging keynotes from many established researchers, including from the SBRL’s director Rory O’Connor. His talk focused on research currently being conducted within SBRL and in collaboration with colleagues nationally and internationally; he highlighted findings from the Scottish Wellbeing Study emphasising the role of entrapment in predicting future suicidal ideation as well as the importance of volitional phase factors in differentiating between those who think about suicide and those who attempt suicide. A keynote by David Gunnell (Bristol) included a discussion of trends in suicide and self-harm globally, highlighting that the majority of suicides happen in low and middle income countries, although most research is conducted in more affluent countries. Keith Hawton’s (Oxford) talk covered research aimed at community means restriction, highlighting his seminal research demonstrating that reducing the size of paracetamol packets has saved many people’s lives in the UK. There were also inspiring plenary talks by Alexandra Pitman (London) on future directions for suicide bereavement policy, and Jane Pirkis on the development of the internet and suicide prevention information upon it (Melbourne).The final day of the conference included the last talk by Ad Kerkhof before his retirement, wherein he highlighted advances in psychosocial treatments for suicidal patients including the targeting of mental imagery. 

A number of talks focussed on the media reporting of suicide and the negative effect that this can have upon subsequent suicide trends, although cautionary there was some hopeful discussion of the Papageno effect (Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, Vienna), whereby positive reporting can have a protective influence. Indeed, a highlight of the conference was a symposium organised by Ellen Townsend (and including Rory O’Connor, Tiago Zortea, ex-SBRLer Olivia Kirtley) on engaging the public with research, highlighting the potential benefits of blogs, twitter, TV appearances and public engagement initiatives such as Café Connect. It was clear that there was much to be gained from harnessing both traditional and social media platforms to promote and disseminate research to help shape how society views and understands suicide and self-harm. As well as helping break down the stigma attached to suicide, it can help people know how to talk to those who are suicidal and hopefully change how people think about and communicate about suicide.