Leading researchers and thought leaders from 22 countries were given a Royal surprise when they attended the Zero Suicide 5 International Summit at the iconic Liver Building on 24-25 June, with an official welcome from His Royal Highness William, Prince of Wales.
The Prince personally recorded a video message for the delegates, which was shown to welcome them to the event hosted by award winning broadcaster Claudia Hammond.
The event was opened by Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, and key note speakers included ZSA co-founder Professor Joe Rafferty.
Professor Nav Kapur reflecting on the past, present and future of suicide prevention in clinical services, while the 3 Dads Walking received a standing ovation after sharing their heartbreaking experiences of living with the loss of their daughters to suicide and called for more support for young people.
In honour of people sadly lost to suicide and recognition of suicide prevention efforts, landmarks in Liverpool were lit up with in orange for the two-day conference.
The global event was hosted by Henry Ford Health and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust with support from the ZSA. This is the fifth summit of its type following previous events in Rotterdam (2018), Sydney (2017), Atlanta (2015), Oxford (2014) and the first since the Covid-19 pandemic.