Page 8 - Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology Conference, 11th Triple i, Virtual Conference
P. 8
h Triple i | Virtual Conference | 16th–19th June 2020 Listening to the Suicidal
in the Wake of Covid-19
Vanda Scott
Ms. Vanda Scott is currently the international advisor to the International Asso-
ciation for Suicide Prevention and holds several advisory positions with NGOs
including the De Leo Fund. She participated in the development of a worldwide
network of agencies for suicide prevention, which enhances cooperation betwe-
en mental health professionals and volunteers. Her speech will be about coope-
rative approaches to prevention of suicide with examples on three levels – local,
national and international.
Abstract. Unknown, unexpected, medical emergency – Covid-19 a global cri-
sis. In December 2019 coronavirus was identified in China and by early March
extended exponentially across many nations, East and West, and the World
Health Organisation declared Covid-19, a global pandemic. Globally, gover-
nments immediately enforced a range of actions from the research of the vi-
rus through to extensive medical treatment, social isolation, workplace and
countrywide closures. The impact is unmeasurable and will affect economic
and social stability as well as the general and mental health of the popula-
tion in all countries. Almost 80 of all suicides occur in the low and middle
income countries; these very same countries that will experience even grea-
ter inequities during this pandemic due to weak public health systems, lack
of mental health professionals and facilities, the negative economic effect
of lockdowns and the evident increase in poverty. Along with mental health
professionals worldwide, Suicide Prevention Crisis Centres have been in the
front line of responding to the public and, unquestionably, will continue to
have a significant role in being accessible for those suffering suicidal ideation
and behaviour. The purpose of this presentation is to take a small sample of
the work from crisis centres in both the developed and developing countries
and review the changes in their services that is currently being experienced
and also reflect on what could be expected. It is too early to predict the chan-
ges in suicidal behaviour. However, this sector is only too aware that there is a
need to prepare for an undetermined change in trends in suicidal behaviour
along with unknown knowledge on how such changes may be resourced. A
few challenging options will be explored.
8 https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-67-2.8
in the Wake of Covid-19
Vanda Scott
Ms. Vanda Scott is currently the international advisor to the International Asso-
ciation for Suicide Prevention and holds several advisory positions with NGOs
including the De Leo Fund. She participated in the development of a worldwide
network of agencies for suicide prevention, which enhances cooperation betwe-
en mental health professionals and volunteers. Her speech will be about coope-
rative approaches to prevention of suicide with examples on three levels – local,
national and international.
Abstract. Unknown, unexpected, medical emergency – Covid-19 a global cri-
sis. In December 2019 coronavirus was identified in China and by early March
extended exponentially across many nations, East and West, and the World
Health Organisation declared Covid-19, a global pandemic. Globally, gover-
nments immediately enforced a range of actions from the research of the vi-
rus through to extensive medical treatment, social isolation, workplace and
countrywide closures. The impact is unmeasurable and will affect economic
and social stability as well as the general and mental health of the popula-
tion in all countries. Almost 80 of all suicides occur in the low and middle
income countries; these very same countries that will experience even grea-
ter inequities during this pandemic due to weak public health systems, lack
of mental health professionals and facilities, the negative economic effect
of lockdowns and the evident increase in poverty. Along with mental health
professionals worldwide, Suicide Prevention Crisis Centres have been in the
front line of responding to the public and, unquestionably, will continue to
have a significant role in being accessible for those suffering suicidal ideation
and behaviour. The purpose of this presentation is to take a small sample of
the work from crisis centres in both the developed and developing countries
and review the changes in their services that is currently being experienced
and also reflect on what could be expected. It is too early to predict the chan-
ges in suicidal behaviour. However, this sector is only too aware that there is a
need to prepare for an undetermined change in trends in suicidal behaviour
along with unknown knowledge on how such changes may be resourced. A
few challenging options will be explored.
8 https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-7055-67-2.8
