The workshops focus on new studies on suicide and self-harm, including research at the planning stage, as well as early reports on findings of studies. There is an emphasis on lively discussion especially regarding research methods.
The meetings, which are attended by both senior researchers and early career researchers, have proved extremely popular. They provide an excellent opportunity for networking and establishing important research collaborations.
For the past six years the workshops have been accompanied by The Lancet Psychiatry Suicide Research Symposium, a half-day event organised jointly with Niall Boyce, editor of the journal. The first of these included three reviews of biological and psychosocial aspects of suicide, all of which were subsequently published in the inaugural copy of The Lancet Psychiatry.
"I think the workshops have contributed to meaningful research on suicide and self-harm, including initiatives which add to our knowledge of these problems, and have helped to make useful contributions to their prevention. The increasing attendance of early career researchers has been particularly welcome." Said Professor Keith Hawton, Director of Oxford University Centre for Suicide Research.