Summary
- Torrevieja hosts the IV National Congress of the Spanish Society of suicidology on September 18, 2025.
- The event focuses on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, education, and multidisciplinary approaches.
- Key topics include insomnia and suicide risk, elite sports and mental health, suicide genetics, and prevention in schools.
- Participation is open to health professionals, educators, students, relatives, and associations involved in suicide prevention.
- Registration is open until September 10, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day.
Torrevieja to Host Major National Event on Suicide Prevention and Mental health
The coastal city of Torrevieja will be the epicenter for advancing suicide prevention and mental health awareness in Spain on September 18,2025,as it hosts the IV National Congress of the spanish Society of Suicidology.Held at the International Auditorium of Torrevieja, this landmark congress gathers top-notch experts, researchers, educators, and public officials under the collaborative support of the Torrevieja City Council’s Department of Public Health.
“Talk, Educate, Prevent”: The Congress Motto
This fourth edition operates under the guiding theme of “Hablar, educar, prevenir” (“Talk, Educate, prevent”), reflecting a commitment to open dialogue, education, and proactive suicide prevention strategies. The program promises a rich, interdisciplinary lineup addressing the biggest challenges facing mental health professionals and communities today.
Key Highlights of the Event
- Official Opening: The mayor of Torrevieja, Eduardo Dolón, will inaugurate the event and introduce a panel discussing the latest national and regional developments in suicide prevention.
- Sleep, Despair & Suicide: Experts José Martínez Raga and Jesús Mesones will explore how insomnia and hopelessness interplay, emphasizing the crucial role of sleep in suicide prevention.
- Elite Sports & Mental Health: A special roundtable featuring psychologist Lola Collado and Olympic medalist Daniel Plaza will delve into the mental health challenges faced by elite athletes.
- Genetics & Suicide Risk: Advances in suicide genetics will be presented through the innovative Smartomics study by Enrique Baca and Lucía Albarracín.
- Connection with Severe Mental Disorders: Psychiatric specialists Rafael Mora and María Pardo will discuss the link between suicide, psychotic episodes, and depression.
- Education Sector Involvement: Highlighting the importent preventive role of schools, a focused panel on suicide prevention in classrooms is scheduled, moderated by torrevieja’s councilor for Education, Ricardo recuero.
- Closing keynote: Psychiatrist and mental health advocate Luis Gutiérrez Rojas will provide a keynote on the vital role of social awareness in addressing suicidal behavior.
Who Should Attend?
The congress is designed for a broad audience, including:
- Health professionals: psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, nurses, social workers
- Educators, school counselors, pedagogues
- University students and researchers
- Associations and families engaged with suicide prevention and support
- Community and institutional representatives
Detailed Program Schedule
| Time | Activity | Speakers / Moderators |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 09:45 | Registration and materials delivery | Auditorio Internacional de Torrevieja |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Institutional Panel | Eduardo Dolón, José Cano, Bartolomé Pérez, Jesús Mesones |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | National & regional suicide prevention updates | Andoni Anseán, Eduardo Aguilar |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Insomnia, despair, and sleep in suicide prevention | José Martínez Raga, Jesús Mesones |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Elite sports vs. mental health roundtable | Lola Collado, Daniel Plaza |
| 12:00 – 12:45 | Genetics of suicide: Smartomics study | Enrique Baca, lucía Albarracín |
| 12:45 – 14:00 | Suicide and severe mental disorders: psychosis & depression | Rafael Mora, María Pardo |
| 15:30 – 16:45 | Postvention: survivors’ perspectives | Moderator: Raquel Martínez; Speakers: Lucía Abietar, Ascensión Moreno |
| 16:45 – 18:00 | Suicide prevention in the classroom | Moderator: Ricardo Recuero (Education Councilor) |
| 18:00 – 18:45 | Keynote: Talk, Educate, Prevent | Luis Gutiérrez Rojas |
| 18:45 – 19:00 | Conclusions and closing remarks | Rosa Cañón, Jesús Mesones |
Critically important Dates and Registration
The registration period is open until September 10, 2025, coinciding with the World Suicide Prevention Day. Interested participants can register and find more data on the congress website:
Why This Congress Matters
The event coincides deliberately with the World Suicide Prevention Day,designated by the World Health Organization and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Suicide continues to be a critical public health issue worldwide. Through dialogue, education, and shared knowledge, the congress aims to strengthen community responses, reduce suicide rates, and inspire hope among those suffering.
Voices from the Experts
The congress features distinguished speakers such as:
- Andoni Anseán: President of the Spanish Society of Suicidology and expert on suicide prevention.
- Jesús Mesones: Head of psychiatry at Torrevieja University Hospital and Vice President of the Spanish Society of suicidology.
- Luis Gutiérrez Rojas: Renowned psychiatrist and public mental health educator.
- Daniel Plaza: Olympic gold medalist and advocate for athlete mental health.
- Lucía Albarracín: Psychologist specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
The congress also includes voices of survivors and families, emphasizing a compassionate, community-based approach to suicide prevention.
Conclusion
With an inclusive and multidisciplinary approach,the IV National Congress of the Spanish Society of Suicidology in Torrevieja stands out as an essential platform for exchanging knowledge,building awareness,and reinforcing strategies against suicide and mental health crises.By engaging health professionals, educators, policymakers, and the community, it hopes to foster prevention efforts that save lives.
Article based on information from: Información – Torrevieja to host IV National Suicide Prevention Congress