Conference Agenda

Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in Australia. Psychologists can play a pivotal role through evidence-based risk assessment and intervention, making postgraduate training essential. The current study involved a curriculum review of publicly available unit handbooks from 94 Australian postgraduate psychology programs. Eighteen per cent did not explicitly reference teaching risk assessment or management. Of those that did, 41% covered both, 49% covered risk assessment only, and 10% covered risk management only. Findings indicate a stronger emphasis on risk assessment than risk management, underscoring the need to strengthen training in suicide prevention practices for trainee psychologists.

We examine longitudinal associations between help-seeking intentions, enacted help-seeking, and later suicidal ideation among Australian men. Using Waves 2 to 4 of Ten to Men, we will assess whether Wave 2 intentions (General Help Seeking Questionnaire) are associated with Wave 3 help-seeking, and whether Wave 3 help-seeking is associated with Wave 4 suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9), among men reporting a personal, emotional, or behavioural problem at Wave 3. We will compare informal-only versus any formal help and estimate adjusted risk ratios using log-link models informed by directed acyclic graphs. Preliminary findings will be presented.

Suicidality among adolescents continues to rise, with parental powerlessness being a critical factor undermining effective support and child mental health outcomes. Strengthening parents’ sense of agency may therefore be a key mechanism in suicide prevention. An innovative 12-session parent training was developed in close collaboration with parents and youth, integrating elements of Non-Violent Resistance and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Using a mixed-methods pre–post design, the training is implemented across eight mental health institutions and evaluated through interviews, questionnaires, and session observations. The program aims to reduce parental powerlessness, enhance parent–child connection, and ultimately improve youth wellbeing and reduce suicidal behavior.

Media reporting can shape suicidal behaviour, so many countries use suicide reporting guidelines. We reviewed whether these guidelines improve reporting quality and reduce suicides. We searched the literature up to November 2025 and included 15 studies from 11 countries. Reporting quality improved after guideline release, particularly for recommendations most relevant to reducing harmful contagion effects, such as educating the public and avoiding detailed method descriptions. Far fewer studies examined suicide rates, but available evidence suggests guidelines cause no harm and may offer benefits through better reporting. More research is urgently needed to better quantify their impact on suicide rates.

Evidence suggests that insecure attachment is associated with suicidal thoughts in young people, yet the underlying processes remain unclear. This ongoing study tests whether insecure attachment (avoidant, anxious, and disorganised attachment) influences suicidal ideation over time, and whether self-worth, emotion regulation, and interpersonal difficulties mediate these associations. Young people aged 18-24 complete online self-report surveys at three time points. Data will be analysed using longitudinal mediation model. Preliminary findings will be presented at the conference. The study aims to identify potential pathways to suicidal ideation and inform attachment-related early prevention strategies for youth suicide.

The study explores suicide as a social phenomenon in the Chefchaouen region of Morocco. Despite the prevalence of suicide in the country, existing studies have not adequately considered the contributing socio-economic factors. In this study, I investigate suicide in rural villages of the Chefchaouen region in northern Morocco, focusing on social changes linked to cannabis cultivation.

The study employs a qualitative fieldwork method, which includes interviews and observations, to investigate how cannabis cultivation negatively affects social bonds, community trust, and moral meanings, and how these transformations lead to anomie and distress, which increases the risk of suicidal behavior.

This study examined the association between obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and suicidality risk in individuals with anxiety and mood disorders (AMD). A total of 227 participants with AMD (78.1% women; mean age 40.0±11.6) were assessed. Mental disorders and suicidality risk were evaluated using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, while OCPD traits were measured with the Compulsive Personality Assessment Scale. Suicidality risk was significantly higher in individuals with comorbid OCPD compared to those with AMD alone (59.2% vs. 42.1%). Comorbid OCPD more than doubled the risk of suicidality in individuals with AMD (odds ratio = 2.14, 95% CI 1.08–4.24; p=0.029).

Background: Suicide bereavement during adolescence is associated with significant psychological, social, and educational impacts. While research has examined postvention following peer deaths, little is known about support for students bereaved by family or community suicides, or students' experiences of such support.

Objectives: This scoping review maps school-based postvention practices for secondary school students bereaved by suicide, examining practices, student experiences, and staff preparedness.

Methods: Following JBI and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, peer-reviewed and grey literature were systematically searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data.

Expected Outcomes: Findings will identify gaps and inform practice in supporting suicide-bereaved students in secondary schools.