Erwin Ringel (April 27, 1921 – July 28, 1994) was an Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist who dedicated his life to suicide prevention and who, in 1960, defined the presuicidal syndrome. In 1960 he founded the International Association for Suicide Prevention. Childhood and early Life Erwin Ringel was born in Timișoara, Romania to a Banat Swabian family, nonetheless his parents already lived in Hollabrunn, Austria. In 1926 his family moved to Vienna which gave young Erwin the opportunity to visit Vienna's famous Operahouse and Burgtheater. Honours and awards 1961: Karl Renner Vienna's prize for achievement in suicide prevention 1985: Honorary President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention 1986: Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class 1986: Gold Medal for services to the City of Vienna 1988: Hans-Prinzhorn Medal 1921 births 1994 deaths Austrian psychiatrists Austrian neurologists Physicians from Vienna Recipients of the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class 20th-century Austrian physicians