What you'll learn in this expert session
Clinical A/Prof David Horgan provides insights into how depression can progress to suicide and the various factors that can increase suicide risk. He introduces a new online suicide prevention resource called ‘In Tough Times Text’, and explains how it was developed and how it can be used to save lives. In today’s digital world, text messages can be powerful and life-saving. This presentation provides an overview of depression and the problems in suicide prevention and looks at techniques that can be used by those who are supporting people who are at risk of death by suicide, including what to ask and what to say.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the commonest of depression leading to suicide and attempted suicide
- Recognise the key factors known to increase the risk of suicide
- Learn texting strategies and approaches family and friends can use to help a suicidal person
About the Expert
A/Prof David Horgan
Clinical A/Prof David Horgan teaches Psychiatry to final year medical students and as part of his lecturing role as a Clinical Associate Professor in the University of Melbourne. As part of his Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists, he attends multiple ongoing education lectures in various aspects of psychiatry. He also regularly attends a peer review group of almost twenty experienced psychiatrists and is also heavily involved in an Australia-wide suicide prevention charity and telephone service which he founded, the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation.
