Vetlife bids to help fight against suicide

Vetlife has produced a free resource to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day for people who have been affected by the suicide of a veterinary professional, people who support those who have been affected, and for managers and leaders in veterinary workplaces who are working to prevent suicide.

After a veterinary suicide, families and close friends, workplaces and communities need support. Suicide postvention is the response and provision of support after a suicide. It aims to support recovery, and to prevent further adverse outcomes in the aftermath including the prevention of further deaths by suicide.

The guidance has information about suicide bereavement, and suicide postvention. It focuses on support including responses to suicide loss and who can help. It particularly examines veterinary workplace considerations after a suicide, including immediate aftermath and longer term. The guidance also covers communication, including talking both with colleagues and clients, and publicly on social media and elsewhere.

It finishes with a checklist of actions for veterinary workplaces affected by suicide, considering immediate, short term, and ongoing actions for support and postvention.

As well as providing this guidance, Vetlife can provide individualised support to practices and individuals who have experienced a suicide through our Postvention Service. If you are a UK veterinary professional who has been affected by suicide or would like support for a veterinary workplace, please contact the Vetlife Helpline by phone on 0303 040 2551, or by email via www.helpline.vetlife.org.uk.

You can download the postvention guidance on the Vetlife website here.

Vetlife Helpline is available 24 hours a day, every day for the veterinary community. All in the profession are welcome to speak to the Helpline, including non-clinical staff , vet nurses and students. If you need support, call the Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or email anonymously at www.helpline.vetlife.org.uk.