Psychoanalysis and Mental Health: The True Nature of Suicide

Description

“There is only one serious philosophical question and that is suicide” – Camus

Suicide is at the back of our minds, much of our lives in various ways. A suicide often has devastating consequences for those left behind, over generations. In mental health services there is an overwhelming focus on prediction, dominating the care of patients. Yet, given the importance of suicide and the fear it generates, it is surprising how little is known about its nature or aetiology.

This event aims to confront the ‘true nature’ of suicide, looking at both the psychoanalytic understanding of the psychodynamics of suicide and the real experience of daily confrontation of those that are truly suicidal: What leads someone to take their own life? Can it be prevented? Why does it have such a devastating and unremitting effect on those left behind?

These questions will be discussed by Dr Rob Hale, psychoanalyst and co-author of the book “Working in the Dark: Understanding the Presuicide State of Mind”, Dr Rachel Gibbons, psychoanalyst, group analyst and psychiatrist, Chair of the Working Group on the Effect of Suicide and Homicide on Clinicians at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and Steve Whitington and Lynn Doidge, Chaplains at Beachy Head. Their dialogue will be chaired by Dr Jo Stubley, psychiatrist, psychoanalyst and Lead Clinician of the Tavistock Trauma Service.

This event will be delivered remotely via Zoom.

Registration for each session will close an hour before the live event begins.

REFUND POLICY: Tickets are fully refundable until 14 days before the event, after which time no refunds will be issued

Concession tickets are available, for students, BPAS candidates and NHS trainees. Please email us if you are unsure if you qualify for a concession ticket.

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