Each year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention recognizes the contributions of researchers to the field of suicide prevention. At our annual Research Award Dinner this past Wednesday, AFSP had the pleasure of honoring this year's two outstanding award recipients.

Dr. Madelyn Gould was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive research in the area of youth psychiatric epidemiology and suicide prevention over the past four decades. She changed the conversation when she demonstrated that talking about suicide in schools does not create suicidal behavior and, in fact, is associated with decreasing distress. Dr. Gould’s applied clinical epidemiologic research has laid the groundwork for many state, national, and international suicide prevention programs. 

Dr. Rory O’Connor was honored with the Annual Research Award for his Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behaviour, which provides a framework for how a person shifts from suicidal thought to suicidal behavior. His model has helped stimulate research focusing on the development of interventions for near-term suicide risk, the moment when people are in a crisis. His recent award-winning book, When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do To Prevent It, provides a wealth of meaningful information for suicide prevention.

AFSP's Senior Vice President of Research Dr. Jill Harkavy-Friedman said, “With suicide prevention in the forefront as a public health imperative, highlighting the contributions of researchers who have played pivotal roles in suicide prevention is essential. It is through research that we are learning about how to save lives and bring hope to those who are affected by suicide. Research findings underlie most suicide prevention efforts including public education, clinician training, advocacy and support for survivors of suicide loss. Dr. Gould and Dr. O’Connor are outstanding role models as we continue to grow the field of suicide prevention research.”