- Torrevieja hosts the 4th National congress of the Spanish Society of Suicidology on September 18, 2025, focusing on suicide prevention.
- Experts, researchers, mental health professionals, educators, and institutional representatives will gather at the International Auditorium.
- Key topics include the connection between insomnia and suicide, mental health in elite sports, genetics of suicide, and suicide prevention in schools.
- The event underlines awareness, education, and prevention, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day.
- Registration is open until september 10, 2025, welcoming professionals, students, associations, and families.
Torrevieja takes a Stand Against Suicide with National Congress on Prevention
on September 18, 2025, the coastal city of Torrevieja will become the center for much-needed dialog on suicide prevention by hosting the 4th national Congress of the Spanish Society of Suicidology. Set in the International Auditorium, this important event promises to bring together a diverse group of experts, researchers, educators, and institutional figures to confront the complex challenge of suicide through education, awareness, and prevention.
Why This Congress Matters
Suicide remains one of the most pressing public health issues globally. In Spain, initiatives like this congress play a vital role in breaking the silence and stigma around suicidal behavior – a cause championed by the local government and mental health advocates alike. The theme of the congress, “Talk, Educate, Prevent,” captures the urgent need to foster open communication and informed strategies that can save lives.
Complete Program Highlights
The congress features an extensive program, packed with panels and discussions led by leading experts covering multiple dimensions of suicide prevention:
- Link Between Insomnia and Suicide: Specialists José Martínez Raga and Jesús mesones will explore how sleep disturbances and feelings of hopelessness can increase suicide risk, emphasizing sleep as a critical factor for mental well-being.
- Mental Health in Elite Sports: Psychologist Lola Collado and Olympic medallist Daniel Plaza will discuss the pressures faced by elite athletes and the impact on their mental health in a candid roundtable titled “Elite Sport vs. Mental Health.”
- Advances in Genetics: Enrique Baca and Lucía Albarracín will present the “Smartomics Study,” shedding light on the genetic components associated with suicidal behaviors.
- Suicide and Severe Mental Disorders: Rafael Mora and María Pardo will analyse links between suicide and conditions like first psychotic episodes and depression, highlighting the need for early intervention.
- Prevention in educational Settings: An important panel moderated by Ricardo Recuero will address the role schools play as frontline agents of prevention under the guidance of the valencian GovernmentS Ministries of Education and Health.
- Survivor Perspectives and postvention: Voices of those affected by suicide loss will be heard, focusing on healing and continuing prevention efforts.
- Keynote Lecture: Renowned psychiatrist and communicator Luis Gutiérrez Rojas will close the congress by stressing society’s role in raising awareness and reducing stigma around suicide.
Congress schedule at a Glance
| Time | Session | Speakers/Moderators |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM | Registration and Material Delivery | International Auditorium |
| 9:45 – 10:00 AM | Institutional Panel & Opening Remarks | Eduardo Dolón, José Cano, Bartolomé Pérez, Jesús Mesones |
| 10:00 - 10:30 AM | National & Regional Suicide Prevention Developments | Andoni Anseán, Eduardo Aguilar |
| 10:30 - 11:15 AM | Insomnia and Hopelessness: Sleep & Suicide Prevention | José Martínez Raga, Jesús Mesones |
| 11:15 – 12:00 PM | Elite Sport vs Mental Health | Lola Collado, Daniel Plaza |
| 12:00 – 12:45 PM | Genetics of Suicide: Smartomics Study | Enrique Baca, Lucía Albarracín |
| 12:45 – 2:00 PM | Suicide in Severe Mental Disorders | Rafael Mora, María Pardo |
| 3:30 – 4:45 PM | Postvention: Voices of Survivors | Raquel Martínez, Lucía abietar, Ascensión Moreno |
| 4:45 – 6:00 PM | Suicide Prevention in Classrooms | Ricardo Recuero, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Health |
| 6:00 – 6:45 PM | Keynote Lecture: Talk, Educate, Prevent | Luis Gutiérrez rojas |
| 6:45 – 7:00 PM | Conclusions & Closing Ceremony | Rosa Cañón, Jesús Mesones |
Participation and Registration
This congress is not only for healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, nurses, social workers, and educators but also for counselors, communicators, university students, associations, families, and anyone committed to suicide prevention and supporting vulnerable individuals.
Registrations are open until September 10, 2025. To participate and learn more about the program, visit the official congress website: www.congresosuicidologia.es.
Aligning with World Suicide Prevention Day
The timing of this congress coincides closely with World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, an initiative supported worldwide by the World Health Institution and the International Association for Suicide Prevention. This alignment highlights Torrevieja’s active role in the global movement to reduce suicide rates and promote mental health awareness.
Final Thoughts
By hosting this landmark congress, Torrevieja sends a powerful message: suicide is a public health crisis that demands open discussion, rigorous research, and collaborative prevention efforts. Through education and innovation, this event hopes to equip professionals and the wider community with tools that can make a life-saving difference.
For further details and registration, remember to visit the official congress page and join the conversation to “Talk, Educate, Prevent.”
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