Section 4: Risk assessment and mitigation

Risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying factors that may contribute to suicide risk in your veterinary workplace setting and implementing controls to reduce or mitigate those risks.

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Purpose

The purpose of this section is to provide a framework for:

Identifying occupational and organisational factors that increase suicide risk
Assessing the level of risk in your veterinary workplace
Implementing proportionate controls
Monitoring the effectiveness of controls
Reviewing and updating risk assessments

4.1 Key areas for assessment

Risk assessment should cover:

Occupational hazards (exposure to trauma, access to lethal means, professional isolation)
Organisational factors (workload, workplace culture, access to support)
Individual vulnerabilities (previous mental health conditions, life stressors, alcohol/substance use)
Environmental factors (bullying, harassment, discrimination)

4.2 Assessment focus

The assessment should focus on modifiable factors—those aspects of the workplace that can be changed or improved to reduce risk. These include:

Access to lethal means (medicines and firearms)
Workplace culture and psychological safety
Workload and stress management
Access to mental health support
Training and awareness

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Section 3: Workplace-level suicide prevention planning

The purpose of this section is to provide a structured framework for identifying, preventing, and responding to suicide risk at the veterinary workplace level. It covers workplace risk management, early identification, intervention, crisis response, and post-incident support.

Section 5: Creating a supportive and safe working environment

This section provides guidance on how veterinary practices can create working environments that actively support staff wellbeing and reduce factors that may contribute to psychological distress. It focuses on practical, proportionate actions that can be embedded within existing practice operations.