RCVS releases suicide prevention resources
RCVS' MMI and PSS have collaborated with external experts to produce three initial resources.
RCVS’ Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) and Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) have collaborated on a set of resources to support practices in producing suicide prevention plans.
The guidance will support veterinary practices, which are now required to meet a mandatory requirement for workplace-based suicide prevention plans.
RCVS’ Practice Standards Scheme has required practice-specific suicide prevention plans since April 1, 2026. Practices must assess the potential risks of the practice setting, and then introduce measures to address and mitigate each risk.
To support practices with meeting requirements, MMI and PSS have collaborated with external suicide prevention experts to produce three initial resources.
Among the new resources is a suicide prevention guide for all practice staff. Designed for practices to incorporate workplace-specific information, the guide provides advice on what to do in a crisis.
A suicide prevention plan checklist will provide an overview of what a suicide prevention plan should include. RCVS has also produced a comprehensive practical step-by-step suicide prevention toolkit for veterinary workplaces.
RCVS is to release further resources, including a recorded webinar, in due course.
Since the requirements are included in the Core Standards of the PSS, all three practice types (small animal, equine and farm animal) in the scheme must meet the new requirements. However, as per the Code of Professional Conduct, even practices that are not part of the PSS must meet the requirement.
Rapinder Newton, MMI Lead, said: “As a compassionate regulator, we are keen to support practices as they work towards putting together their suicide prevention plans.
“These resources are comprehensive and will help veterinary practices not only create plans, but also implement and communicate them with staff, and regularly review them to ensure they’re fit for purpose as well as adapt them if needed.”
Alice Duvernois, lead assessor for the PSS, added: “We are grateful for all involved for producing these resources and we hope that, along with other requirements around staff wellbeing, putting in place these proactive measures may help prevent future deaths by suicide.”
The resources can be found on the ‘Suicide prevention in the workplace’ webpage.
RCVS Academy also hosts a ‘Suicide awareness fundamentals’ course, which looks at the contributing factors behind suicide in the profession. Attendees will learn how to talk about suicide, reduce stigma and how to support those in crisis.
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