International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP)

IASP President, Brian l Mishara Ph.D, notes the passing of two pioneers in the development of telephone help for suicidal persons, Chad Varah and John Kalafat. See biographical details offered.

Offers "Thoughts from Suicide Prevention Pioneer Norm Farberow, at age 90," and a memoriam of Past president and honorary member of IASP, Professor Nils Retterstøl.

Read about national suicide prevention activities in Italy, or the retirement of José Bertolote who had an impressive career of devoted work in the Mental Health Division of the World Health Organization.

Offers a national update from Australia and a article, by Prof. Murad M Khan, on Andrej Marusic, 1965-2008. See the president's message.

IASP President, Brian L Mishara, Ph.D, pens an article entitled, "Considerations on linking suicide with violence and other topics." See country reports from Hong Kong and Hungary.

Provides country reports from Ireland and Pakistan. See the message from the President that headlines "IASP members can support a suicide barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge."

Dr Jane Pirkis, Chair of the IASP Task Force on Suicide and the Media, announces IASP – WHO guidelines on reporting suicide. See "Challenges in Media Attention to Suicide" by IASP President, Brian L Mishara Ph.D.

Announces a new IASP Task Force: Emergency Medicine and Suicidal Behavior. Read about goals, planned activities and contact details. View a report on suicide and suicidal behaviour in Jamaica by Dr Lorraine Barnaby.

Delivers a country report from South Africa and a review of the work done by the Samaritans. Offer contact details for IASP Task Forces.

Offers an article entitled, "IFOTES and its role in suicide prevention" by Diana Rucli – Director IFOTES – International Federation Of Telephone Emergency Services. See the President's message " Suicide and the economic depression: Reflections on suicide during the Great Depression."