A NEW EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR SUICIDOLOGY

For years, a need for cooperation and better communication has been expressed by many persons working full-time or part-time (or professionally or voluntarily) with the problem of suicidal behaviour. The topic has been discussed among a small group of people involved in the field of suicidology, and it is hoped that a European Network could be established, the purpose of which being:

1. to establish a European coordinated network covering initiatives and efforts in the area of suicide research and suicide prevention, involving researchers, clinicians, and volunteers
   
2. to establish a non-governmental organization, which in cooperation with the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association for Suicide Prevention and other relevant organizations can enter into a dialogue with WHO/EURO and EU.

The project was discussed with representatives from WHO/EURO (Dr. J. Sampaio Faria) and EU, Luxemburg (Paul Atkinson) and both expressed an interest in supporting such a European collaboration in this field.

As a result of this project idea, a meeting was arranged in June 1996 in Lund, Sweden, to discuss the possibility of developing a European Network for Suicidology (ENS). The meeting was attended by about 50 people (clinicians, researchers, and volunteers were represented) working in the field of suicidal behaviour in Europe. It was confirmed at the meeting that there is a need for better communication among and between researchers, clinicians, volunteers, and others within the field in Europe. A working group of nine persons was appointed to discuss how to proceed, and what specific tasks could be carried out by the network in the future.

A year ago, a questionnaire was sent out to approximately 450 people working in the field of suicidology. During the last twelve months, we have obtained a lot of useful information and knowledge from the completed questionnaires. We have so far received more than 150 completed questionnaires from 31 countries, indicating a general support for the development of ENS.

The main objective of the ENS is to stimulate networking among people working in or connected with the field of suicidology. The ENS is grounded on basic principles for networking such as dialogue, communication and practical interchange, rather than on a typical organizational structure. The aim of the ENS is not to establish a new hierarchic organisation, but to "net" people together - across borders, working fields, and positions. Many have commented on this objective and expressed that a practically oriented network would be a great achievement to all.

Therefore we are happy to see that so many people representing various European regions have found the time to answer the first application from the ENS. Especially because one element of trans-European networking is the improvement of practical routines and procedures related to communication and collaboration. In this respect, the ENS is complementary to existing organisations, such as the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders International etc. We are looking forward to more people from the various organisations joining the network in the coming years.

The first contribution to a closer connection between European suicidologists (in a broad sense of the word) is an ENS Address Book which contains names, addresses, phone and fax numbers, E-mail addresses and key words on fields of interest.

In the nearest future, the ENS will work towards official agreements of cooperation with existing organisations, for example to ensure the interchange of addresses of people working in the field, and a better utilization of the limited resources for research and prevention of suicidal behaviour. The ENS will also intensify the effort towards a development of an ENS home page on the Internet where the mentioned list among other things could be easily accessible.

The next assembly of the ENS is planned to take place during the next European conference which is in Gent in 1998. We are also working on some ideas to organize workshops on issues which were raised by the respondents. These small workshops could take place during the conference in Gent.

Please contact Professor Kees Van Heeringen for further information concerning the conference:

If you have questions concerning the ENS or any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact either Ella Arensman or Gert Jessen.

If you want to join the ENS, we would like you to fill in a short questionnaire which we will send you on request. If you know of someone who might be interested in the ENS, we would like you either to let him/her contact the ENS or send us the name and address and we will establish contact.