Lífsbrú awards for contribution to suicide prevention granted for the first time

The President of Iceland, Halla Tómasdóttir, and the Minister of Health, Willum Þór Þórsson, addressed, and the Mayor of Reykjavík, Einar Þorsteinsson, led the gathering. Many people attended the opening, and the colour yellow was prominent.

On this occasion, Lífsbrú - Centre for Suicide Prevention, awarded an individual and a team for their outstanding contribution to suicide prevention in Iceland, for increasing knowledge of the subject and contributing to improving the country’s health and well-being.

The first holders of the Lífsbrú Award are:

• Category of individuals - Wilhelm Norðfjörð

• Category of teams - The Pieta Association

Gudrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir, project manager of Lífsbrú and Willum Þór Þórsson awarded the awards. Wilhelm Norðfjörð himself received his award, but the CEO of the Pieta Association, Ellen Calmon, received the award on behalf of the Pieta.

On the occasion of the opening of the awareness campaign, “Gulu sporin”, a mental health and history walk took place under the guidance of historians Stefán Pálsson and Kristín Svava Tómasdóttir. The walk ended in waffles with yellow cream at the Pieta Association.

Yellow September is a cooperative project between institutions and NGOs that work together on mental health and suicide prevention. The preliminary group hopes that Yellow September will increase awareness of the importance of mental health and suicide prevention and will be a sign of love, care and compassion.

Yellow September is a cooperation of The Directorate of Health, Geðhjálp, the primary health care in the capital area, Landspítali, Lífsbrú, the Orri Ómarsson Memorial Fund, the Pieta Association, the Red Cross, SÁÁ, Sorgarmiðstöð, the National Church of Iceland and the Icelandic Health Care Development Centre.

More information
Guðrún Jóna Guðlaugsdóttir, project manager
gudrun.j.gudlaugsdottir@landlaeknir.is