The Salvation Army will be holding a two-day International Conference on Suicide Prevention in Killarney, Ireland, from 2 to 3 September 2007.

The event follows on from the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) Congress, which takes place in the same venue from 28 August to 1 September.

The IASP in conjunction with the World Health Organisation will be acknowledging the centenary of The Salvation Army's work in suicide prevention at their Congress in Ireland, under the patronage of Mary McAleese, President of Ireland.

The Salvation Army was the first organisation in the world to provide suicide prevention programmes when its founder, William Booth, established a suicide prevention bureau in the UK in 1907.

Commissioner Robert Street from Salvation Army International Headquarters will be a guest speaker at the opening of the IASP Congress, representing The Salvation Army on this significant occasion. Various Salvation Army personnel from around the world will be presenting on their areas of expertise.

The Salvation Army's International Conference on Suicide Prevention, subtitled 'Living Hope', will be chaired by Commissioner Christine MacMillan, the Church and charity's recently-appointed Director of the Social Justice Commission. She will be supported by a number of special guests and keynote speakers.

Notable presenters include Dr Adrian Bonner, a Reader in the Institute of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Kent. He is founder and Director of the Addictive Behaviour Group and is also Director of the Institute for Alcohol Studies. Dr Bonner's principal research has focused on mechanisms of brain damage and the role of nutritional factors in cognitive function. He is currently leading a Salvation Army review of Health, Healing and Wholeness.

Chief Inspector Gary Raymond APM OAM will also be presenting. In his role as a member of the New South Wales Police Rescue Squad, Gary performed over 1500 rescues and 200 suicide negotiatons at heights such as cliffs, buildings and towers. He conducts trauma and suicide prevention workshops and has lectured on negotiation techniques.

In a letter to delegates, leader of The Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland, Commissioner John Matear, spoke of the "importance of every person as being made in the image of God".

He continued: "The prevention of suicide through pastoral care and practical assistance is an important work. I commend the organisers of this conference for seeking to train and inspire."





[Re-printed in Christian Today with the kind permission of The Salvation Army]