International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Reaches 14,000 Facebook Fans

March 15, 2012 - PRLog -- In August 2009, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) created a Facebook Fan page. Since then, over 14,000 Facebook users have become Facebook Fans of the Association and its suicide prevention efforts across the globe in raising awareness, in preventing suicidal behavior and alleviating its effects, and in providing a forum for academics, mental health professionals, crisis  workers, volunteers and suicide survivors.

With members from over 50 countries, IASP holds regional conferences and congresses, with upcoming events to be held in Tel Aviv, Chennai and Oslo. In addition, the Association’s Task Forces and Special Interest Groups, composed of experts in their respective fields, cover topics such as: Defense and Police Personnel, Emergency Medicine and Suicidal Behavior, Genetics and Neurobiology of Suicide, National Systems for Certifying Suicidal Deaths, Postvention (Suicide Bereavement), Suicide and the Media, Suicide in Older People, Suicide in Prisons, Special Interest Groups, Clusters and Contagion in Suicidal Behaviour, Culture and Suicidal Behaviour, Helplines Best Practices and Suicide and the Workplace.

The International Association for Suicide Prevention also holds World Suicide Prevention Day annually on September 10th. Co-sponsored with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Day provides the opportunity to increase globally awareness of suicide, suicide prevention and mental health issues. This year’s theme is “Suicide Prevention Across the Globe: Strengthening Protective Factors and Instilling Hope.”

Over the last two-and-a half years the IASP has shared, through its Facebook Fan page,  a wide range of screened suicide prevention resources, guides and information from its extensive Web directory of suicide prevention resources, and other sources. This has included, for example, information concerning groups at risk, or suicide bereavement guides for survivors, or facts sheets on how to help someone, or suicide prevention materials for people who are feeling suicidal.

The IASP Facebook Fan page is unique in as much that new fans are welcomed daily in Wall posting and a printable, personalized Certificate of Appreciation (for supporting increased suicide prevention locally and across the globe) is sent to Fans who request one.

IASP Facecook Fan Page
http://facebook.com/IASPinfo

IASP Web Site
http://www.iasp.info

World Suicide Prevention Day
http://www.iasp.info/wspd

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The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that includes suicide prevention professionals and volunteers from more than 50 countries and is in official relations with the WHO.