Suicide Prevention, Resilience and Life Connection Strategies

Suicide remains one of the most serious public mental health concerns across South Asia. Suicidal behavior is often influenced by multiple interacting factors, including depression, hopelessness, family conflict, financial stress, relationship breakdown, social isolation, substance use, violence, chronic illness, academic pressure, unemployment and major life transitions.

Effective suicide prevention therefore requires a coordinated response involving individuals, families, schools, communities, health systems, media, governments and civil society organizations.

This thematic area will explore suicide prevention not only from a clinical perspective but also through the broader concepts of resilience, belonging, social connection and life connection.

The conference will examine strategies that strengthen protective factors, promote help-seeking and build supportive relationships before individuals reach a crisis point.