IASP is pleased to announce the appointment of new National Representatives following the 2025 elections, and to warmly thank those who are concluding their terms for their dedication and service to suicide prevention worldwide.
National Representatives play a vital role within IASP. They act as key connectors between global suicide prevention efforts and national and regional contexts, strengthening collaboration, sharing knowledge, and promoting evidence-informed approaches to prevention, postvention, and advocacy.
Newly appointed National Representatives
From January 2026, IASP is delighted to welcome the following new National Representatives:
Bangladesh – Abdullah Al Harun
Belgium – Assistant Professor Olivia Kirtley
Canada – Mara Grunau
Cayman Islands – Dympna Carten
Chile – Associate Professor Daniel Núñez
China – Dr Liang Zhou
Croatia – Tin Pongrac
Ghana – Associate Professor Joseph Osafo
Fiji – Lameka Keli Koroi
The Gambia – Foday Sarr
Iceland – Anna Margret Bjarnadottir-Landl
Iran – Associate Professor Hamid Yaghubi
Iraq – Pakhshan Bibani
Ireland – Dr Eve Griffin
Italy – Professor Marco Innamorati
Latvia – Marta Gēbele
Malta – Dr Daniela Zammit
Namibia – Elizabeth Basson
Nigeria – Professor Taiwo Lateef Sheikh
Pakistan – Dr Warisha Zahid
Qatar – Dr Noor Sharif
Slovakia – Simona Stopkova
Slovenia – Vanja Gomboc
Spain – Dr Irina Perez Coloma
Sri Lanka – Professor Thilini Rajapakse
Taiwan – Professor Shu-Sen Chang
Uruguay – Maria Jose Di Agosto
USA – Dr Deb Stone
These appointments reflect the strength and diversity of IASP’s global network and reinforce our shared commitment to advancing suicide prevention across regions, cultures, and contexts.
We also take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Associate Professor Vita Poštuvan, who concludes her term as Zone 1 Co-Chair at the end of December 2025.
Reflecting on her four years in the role, Professor Poštuvan highlighted both the value and the challenges of serving as a National Representatives Co-Chair. Through meetings, surveys, and extensive engagement with representatives across countries, she helped strengthen understanding of the role, its benefits, and the practical barriers faced in different contexts – including stigma, limited resources, and the need for clearer guidance and recognition.
Under her leadership, several key recommendations were advanced to the IASP Board, including improved communication platforms for National Representatives, stronger integration into IASP initiatives such as Partnership for Life, and greater recognition of the role within the organisation. Many of these proposals were accepted in 2024, alongside important governance changes that now grant voting rights to the National Representatives Co-Chairs – a symbolic and practical step recognising the importance of IASP’s global community.
Professor Poštuvan leaves the role with confidence in the future leadership of the network, as Professor Procter (Zone 1) and Merab Mulindi (Zones 2, 3, and 4) take forward this work.
IASP thanks Professor Poštuvan for her professionalism, insight, and unwavering commitment. Her contributions have strengthened the National Representatives network and enriched IASP’s international community.
Following a closely contested ballot with a record number of nominees, IASP welcomes Professor Nicholas Procter as Zone 1 Co-Chair of the National and Regional Representatives for the 2026–2029 term, alongside Merab Mulindi.
Professor Procter is Chair in Mental Health Nursing at the University of South Australia and brings extensive experience in suicide prevention research, policy, and practice. His work centres on partnering with people with lived and living experience of suicide and supporting system reform across diverse settings, including emergency care, veteran mental health, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, asylum seekers, refugees, and LGBTQIA+ communities. A long-standing and active member of IASP, Professor Procter has contributed as a journal editorial board member, conference speaker, facilitator, and advocate for membership growth and engagement.
As Co-Chair, Professor Procter has emphasised his commitment to ensuring National Representatives are informed, connected, and supported, and that their perspectives are recognised and progressed within IASP’s governance and activities.
As new National Representatives take up their roles and others step down, IASP extends its sincere appreciation to all those who have held this role. Their efforts are central to building a connected, informed, and effective global suicide prevention community. We look forward to working with the new representatives and continuing to support collaboration, learning, and action worldwide.
