Section 1: Suicide prevention in veterinary practice

Suicide is a complex public health issue that is preventable. A comprehensive approach to suicide prevention in the workplace requires leadership, clear systems, appropriate training, and an understanding of risk factors and warning signs that are specific to the occupational context. The RCVS is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the veterinary workforce. This guide aligns with the BSI Suicide Prevention Standard (BS 30480) and sets out proportionate, evidence-based expectations for veterinary practices.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO, 2025) approximately 720,000 people die by suicide globally each year. 

• For every suicide, an estimated 135 people are directly affected (such as family, friends, colleagues, and close contacts)
• Approximately 1 in 4 adults experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lifetime
• Approximately 1 in 13 adults make a suicide attempt 

Suicide is not inevitable and can be preventable with appropriate intervention, support, and access to mental health services.

Veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses face elevated suicide risk compared to the general population. Occupational factors contributing to this elevated risk include: 

High exposure to trauma, including euthanasia and animal suffering 

• Access to lethal means (veterinary medicines and firearms)
• Access to knowledge of means
• Professional isolation and difficulty accessing support
• High workload, long hours, and irregular working patterns
• Client-related stress and challenging interactions
• Economic pressures and business concerns
• Perfectionism and high professional standards
• Lack of psychological safety in veterinary workplaces
• Stigma around mental health

Many people at risk of suicide do not seek help due to stigma, fear of judgment, or concerns about professional consequences. Practices that foster psychological safety—where staff feel comfortable discussing mental health, accessing support, and reporting concerns—are more likely to identify risk early and intervene effectively.

A psychologically safe workplace is one where: 

• Mental health is discussed openly and without judgment
• Staff feel able to disclose struggles or concerns without fear of retaliation or dismissal
• Managers respond with compassion and practical support
• Systemic barriers to accessing support are removed

This guide focuses on prevention and protection, not prediction. It is not possible to predict who will die by suicide with certainty. Instead, suicide prevention is based on: 

• Understanding and addressing modifiable risk factors (for example, access to lethal means, workplace stress, lack of support)
• Recognising early warning signs and responding proportionately
• Creating a culture and environment where help-seeking is normalised and supported
• Ensuring staff have clear pathways to access mental health support This approach is evidence-based, proportionate, and achievable in all veterinary practice settings.