NEWS DESK
Islamabad, December 3, 2024 – The Pakistan Institute of Living and Learning (PILL), National Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention (NCRSP), Fatima Jinnah Women University, Ziauddin University, and the University of Manchester jointly organized the 2nd Annual Global Conference on Suicide Prevention, titled “Breaking the Silence: Addressing Suicide Risk and Prevention in Vulnerable Groups.”
Moderated by Dr. Aneela Maqsood, Director of NCRSP, and Ms. Amna Noureen, Global Lead for Teaching, Training, and Development at PILL, the conference convened leading psychologists, psychiatrists, researchers, and global experts to discuss innovative solutions to address suicide prevention in vulnerable groups.
The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University, who highlighted the importance of collaboration and culturally adaptive strategies for suicide prevention. Prof. Sarwat Rasul, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, welcomed participants and expressed enthusiasm for the exchange of global insights.
Prof. Nasim Chaudhry, CEO of PILL, shared an overview of PILL’s groundbreaking initiatives, including the decriminalization of suicide attempts in Pakistan and projects like C-MAP, YCMAP, SEPAK, and SAHAR-M, which are driving impactful change in mental health.
Renowned speakers shared diverse perspectives:
• Prof. Imran B. Chaudhary highlighted milestones in establishing Pakistan’s National Centre for Research on Suicide Prevention.
• Prof. Dr. Erminia Colucci delivered a keynote on suicide prevention in humanitarian contexts and Gatekeeping Training.
• Zainab Zadeh presented findings on suicide prevention in children and adolescents through the SEPAK initiative.
Global experts enriched the dialogue, addressing suicide prevention in Nepal, Africa, Australia, and beyond. Dr. Humaira Maheen, Dr. Alana McVey, and Evan Bose shared strategies, research, and insights, emphasizing the global and multidisciplinary nature of suicide prevention.
The conference concluded with remarks from Prof. Nusrat Husain, Professor of Psychiatry and Director of Global Mental Health Research at the University of Manchester, who commended Pakistan’s growing contributions to global mental health and thanked the organizers for fostering meaningful dialogue on such a critical issue.
The event reinforced the importance of breaking the silence and advancing collaborative efforts to address suicide risk worldwide.
