RCVS suicide prevention toolkit for veterinary workplaces
A practical guide to meeting the PSS suicide prevention standard and related suicide prevention requirements in UK veterinary workplaces.
This toolkit supports veterinary workplaces in meeting the PSS suicide prevention standard (suicide prevention plan) and related requirements coming into effect from 1 April 2026 and is aligned to British Standard (BS) 30480 Suicide and the Workplace (2025). Practices that are not within the PSS will also need to meet the requirement – as in Section 4.3 of the Code of Professional Conduct which states that: ‘Veterinary surgeons must maintain minimum practice standards equivalent to the Core Standards of the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme'. The PSS suicide prevention standard requires every veterinary workplace to implement a practice-specific suicide prevention plan covering all areas of potential risk, including drugs used or stored for animal euthanasia or sedation, access to firearms and captive bolt, and lone or late-night working. This toolkit covers everything a veterinary workplace needs to have in place — from governance and risk assessment through to training, response procedures and continuous improvement.
The guide is structured into seven sections. Each section provides the detail and evidence base behind the relevant requirement. Separate companion documents are available: a PSS Practice Checklist for veterinary workplaces and a PSS Assessor Checklist for assessment purposes.
For a shorter, action-focused companion document aimed at workplace managers, see the RCVS Suicide Prevention Workplace Guide — A guide for all veterinary professionals, which should be read alongside this document.
A note for readers:
We recognise that some readers of this toolkit may have been affected by suicide. We encourage you to seek support if you feel that is would be helpful (routes to support are highlighted in section 5.3). This toolkit discusses recognising signs of distress and identifying people who may need support. However, it is important to acknowledge suicide is complex and multifactorial. It is often but not always associated with mental health problems. Although there are often warning signs for suicide, they can be difficult to recognise. If reading this content brings up feelings of guilt or self-blame, we want to be clear – you are not responsible for what you cannot see or prevent. Your wellbeing matters. We encourage you to take care of yourself and treat yourself with the same kindness and care that you may offer others.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, RCVS accepts no liability for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, that may come about from the use of this publication. This guide may include links to other websites that are owned and operated by third parties not under the control of the RCVS. RCVS provides these links for your convenience only and does not provide a warranty of any type regarding the actions of such third parties or the security of information sent to such parties while you are using their websites. Under no circumstances shall the RCVS be responsible or liable in any way for the availability of services or products offered or the content located on, or through, any such parties’ websites.
Chapter
Purpose and context
This guide has been developed to support veterinary practices in meeting the new suicide prevention requirements coming into effect from 1 April, in alignment with the BSI Suicide Prevention Standard (launched November 2025).
Section 1: Suicide prevention in veterinary practice
Suicide prevention is both a health and safety responsibility and a professional obligation. This section sets out the context for why veterinary practices need robust suicide prevention measures, the risks specific to the profession, and the foundational principles that underpin this guide.
Section 2: Roles, responsibilities and boundaries
Clear roles and responsibilities are essential for effective suicide prevention. This section defines who is responsible for what, sets realistic expectations, and establishes boundaries around what staff are and are not expected to do.
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 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.
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.
Section 6: Responding to concerns, confidentiality and intervention
This section provides practical guidance on responding to concerns, maintaining confidentiality, escalating appropriately, and supporting all parties involved.
Section 7: Training, review and continuous improvement
Training, periodic review, and continuous improvement are essential to sustaining suicide prevention efforts over time. This section provides guidance on training requirements, how to review and update procedures, learning from incidents, and building a culture of continuous improvement.