The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) proudly honoured the 2025 recipients of its prestigious awards during a special ceremony held yesterday at the 33rd World Congress in Vienna. Marking the organisation’s 65th anniversary, this year’s awards hold particular significance—recognising exceptional individuals whose work has shaped the global suicide prevention landscape across science, leadership, lived experience, innovation, and service.
IASP President Professor Jo Robinson opened the ceremony by highlighting the vital role of these awards in celebrating the values that underpin IASP’s values. This year also marked the introduction of two new awards, named in honour of two distinguished IASP leaders – Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumar and Professor Ella Arensman – further expanding the organisation’s recognition of global excellence.
Award Recipients:
Erwin Stengel Research Award
Professor Rory O’Connor (United Kingdom)
Awarded for his outstanding research and decades-long contribution to advancing our understanding of suicidal behaviour. Professor O’Connor is one of the world’s leading suicidologists and a past president of IASP.
Erwin Ringel Service Award
Professor David Jobes (United States) & Dr Alexandra Fleischmann (Switzerland)
Jointly honoured for their exceptional service and global leadership in suicide prevention. Prof Jobes is widely recognised for developing the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). Dr Fleischmann’s work with the World Health Organization has been instrumental in shaping international suicide prevention strategies.
Norman Farberow Award for Bereavement and Lived Experience
Professor Julie Cerel (United States)
Awarded for her pioneering work on suicide exposure and bereavement, including her research that expanded our understanding of the true impact of suicide on communities.
De Leo Fund Award for Research in Developing Countries
Dr Piumee Bandara (Sri Lanka)
Recognised for her research and advocacy in Sri Lanka and broader contributions at the World Health Organization, especially in the area of self-poisoning and domestic violence-related suicide prevention.
Andrej Marušič Early Career Research Award
Dr Louise La Sala (Australia)
Awarded for her ground-breaking work on youth suicide and digital mental health. Dr La Sala is a key researcher on the #chatsafe project and a recognised thought leader in safe online communication.
Lakshmi Vijayakumar Rising Star Award for Impact and Innovation (New in 2025)
Assistant Professor Yunyu Xiao (United States)
Honoured for her innovative and impactful work in suicide prevention, particularly around data science and addressing disparities. Watch recipient’s acceptance speech
Ella Arensman Special Lecture Award: Bridging Research, Implementation and Policy (New in 2025)
Associate Professor Sarah Hetrick (New Zealand)
Awarded for her exceptional ability to bridge research, policy, and implementation through her leadership as a national suicide prevention advisor and ongoing research with lived experience communities.
The ceremony concluded with a powerful special lecture by Associate Professor Hetrick titled “Transformative Research: Imagining New Ways to Do Research with People Impacted by Suicide and Suicide Distress.”
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all recipients and express our gratitude to those who submitted nominations and supported the selection process. These awards reaffirm IASP’s commitment to recognising and elevating those who are making a difference across the globe.
Nominations for the 2027 awards will open ahead of the next IASP World Congress.
