September is Suicide Awareness Month ????
Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, DACVECC, CYT
Speaker | Author | Specialist | Supporting the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Veterinary Teams
As September draws to a close, it's crucial to reflect on how we can individually and collectively address suicide awareness and prevention. While statistics and data are important, it's our proactive efforts that truly make a difference in preventing suicide and supporting mental health within our veterinary community.
This month, let's focus on what each of us can do to protect ourselves and others. Recognizing the signs of distress, maintaining open communication, and seeking help when needed are essential steps we can all take. Additionally, practicing self-care and supporting our colleagues can foster a more resilient and compassionate environment.
To support you in these efforts, I recommend revisiting our blog post,?"Why We Need to Be Careful How We Talk About Suicide Among Veterinary Professionals."?This article delves into the responsible sharing of information about suicide, emphasizing the importance of avoiding suicide contagion through social media and other channels. Understanding how to communicate effectively and sensitively about this topic is vital in our ongoing prevention efforts.
Our recorded webinar,?"First, Do No Harm: Veterinary Workplace Response to Suicide,"?provides valuable insights into managing the aftermath of a suicide within the workplace. It covers strategies for effective communication, supporting your team, and appropriately memorializing those we've lost, which can help guide your practice through these challenging times.
Additionally, our video resource,?"What You Can Do to Prevent Suicide,"?and our most recent podcast episode,?“Resources for Supporting Veterinary Teams Through Suicide,”?provide practical advice and evidence-based resources on proactive measures you can take to support mental health and prevent suicide.
Together, let's focus on actionable steps we can take to create a supportive and safe environment. Your awareness and proactive measures can make a significant difference.
Warmly,
Marie Holowaychuk, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC CEO and Founder, Reviving Veterinary Medicine
P.S.?If you are concerned about a friend or colleague, or if you are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please call 988 (Canada / USA) or find your National Suicide Prevention Line at?suicide.org.?You are not alone.
Blog
Why We Need To Be Careful How We Talk About Suicide Among Veterinary Professionals
It might seem counterintuitive to censor conversations about suicide at a time when we want to enhance awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. However, there is evidence that the way in which media or others propagate stories about suicide can have an immediate and profound impact on vulnerable individuals. So, how exactly?should?we be handling conversations regarding suicide among veterinary professionals??
Podcast
Resources for Supporting Teams Through Veterinary Suicide
Addressing mental health challenges within veterinary medicine requires a proactive approach, especially when it comes to sensitive topics such as suicide. In the latest episode of Reviving Vet Med, we explore crucial resources designed to support veterinary team members enhance their wellbeing during these difficult times, including the AVMA's "After a Suicide" documents and the AAVMC's "Suicide Prevention Toolkit," and the importance of Critical Incident Stress Debriefing in fostering resilience among team members.?
Webinar
First, Do No Harm: Veterinary Workplace Response to Suicide
Losing a colleague or coworker to suicide can lead to significant grief and distress in the workplace. Watch this webinar for best practices, tools, and strategies for helping the veterinary community grieve, cope, and memorialize employees while reducing risk to vulnerable team members.?
Video
What You Can Do To Prevent Suicide
The first question many people ask when they learn the shocking statistics around veterinary suicide is?why??However, we?encourage you to shift your focus to what we can do as a veterinary profession to support the mental health and wellbeing of all veterinary team members.?Suicide is 100% preventable if we are willing to open up, overcome stigma, and create safe spaces for our colleagues who are struggling to access mental health treatments and services.
Reviving Veterinary Medicine aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of veterinary professionals around the world.?
Please forward this newsletter to a friend or colleague who might find it helpful, or to support another team member on their wellbeing journey.
As September closes, let's genuinely reflect on how we can address suicide awareness and prevention in the veterinary community. Thank you for shining a light on this critical issue.