In this extended episode, we explore an issue that matters deeply across the veterinary professions: suicide prevention.
Please note: this episode will be centred around suicide. Please remember that if you are impacted by anything discussed, help is available. You can contact veterinary mental health charity, Vetlife, who have a confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, seven days a week as well as an email service. You can also contact charities outside of the veterinary sector such as Samaritans and Papyrus – details for all of which can be found below.
From the new 2026 Practice Standards Scheme (PSS) requirements - requiring all practices (including small animal, farm and equine) to have a suicide prevention plan in place - to practical steps practices can take right now, this conversation is all about making support more visible, conversations less intimidating, and workplaces safer for everyone.
You’ll hear thoughtful insights from experts working across the field, alongside real examples of how leadership, training, and culture can make a meaningful difference. We also talk about the role of stigma, what good prevention planning actually looks like, and why talking openly about mental health is such an important part of protecting people.
Speakers:
Angharad Belcher – RCVS Director for the Advancement of the Professions, and Mind Matters Initiative
Alice Duvernois MRCVS – RCVS Lead PSS Assessor
Peter Kelly – senior psychologist and leading suicide prevention expert
Dr Rosie Allister MRCVS – consultant manager for Vetlife helpline and suicide prevention and mental health researcher
James Glass MRCVS – suicide prevention researcher
What we cover in this episode
- Why suicide prevention is now part of the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS)
- How practices can approach the new requirements without feeling overwhelmed
- What an effective suicide prevention plan should include
- The role of leadership, team culture, and psychological safety
- Why access to means, trauma exposure, and organisational support all matter
- How to talk about suicide responsibly and reduce stigma
- Practical resources, training, and support available to veterinary teams
Resources
- RCVS Academy courses – free to access for veterinary professionals, including 'Suicide awareness fundamentals'.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and focus on suicide prevention in veterinary
05:45 - Explanation of the RCVS Practice Standard Scheme (PSS) and its levels
16:23 - What constitutes a suicide prevention plan and how to implement it effectively
23:57 - The critical role of leadership, culture, and open conversations
33:06 - Other available resources: Vetlife, RCVS Academy courses, RCVS Mind Matters guides and other support
41:32 - The importance of responsible discourse and avoiding stigmatisation
49:54 - Models like IMV (O’Connor, 2011) to understand the complexities of suicidal behaviour
55:08 - The role of leadership and organisational culture in prevention
66:29 - Tips for fostering a safety culture where mental health challenges can be openly discussed
75:38 - Closing remarks: resources, upcoming events, and CPD recognition
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