This page addresses queries about practice suicide prevention plans and how Vetlife can help.
This page may assist veterinary practices looking to develop suicide prevention plans for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Standards Scheme (RCVS PSS) as it explains what Vetlife can offer.
Background: Vetlife and suicide prevention
Vetlife is an independent charity with a long history of supporting the veterinary community.
Vetlife has been active in veterinary suicide prevention and postvention support for many years.
This work has included provision of crisis contact stickers for controlled drugs cupboards, education and training about suicide prevention, and encouraging responsible communication around suicide.
A significant part of Vetlife’s work involves provision of crisis support for veterinary professionals. In 2025 over 800 contacts to Vetlife Helpline, the 24 hour support service for everyone in the veterinary community, were from veterinary professionals experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviour.
For those who need professional mental health help we provide support to vets, vet nurses and students through referral to our Vetlife Health Support service.
For other work we do in suicide prevention you can find some general information about our work here: Suicide in the veterinary professions – Vetlife
Vetlife and suicide postvention
Since 2009 Vetlife has been providing postvention support to veterinary workplaces affected by suicide loss. In 2022 we published guidance on postvention in veterinary workplaces.
Postvention support is bespoke support for leaders in veterinary practices.
This extends to practices who have not experienced loss but who are affected by suicide attempts, self harm, or practices with concerns about medicines access. We have provided this support individually to practices on request for 16 years, and are experienced in this area.
You can read Vetlife’s guidance for support after suicide loss, and support for workplaces here: Postvention – Vetlife
Coming soon: The Vetlife Suicide Prevention Resources
In 2026 Vetlife is launching a major series of suicide prevention resources for the veterinary community.
These resources are to help veterinary workplaces with suicide prevention.
The first of these, a guide for managers, launches in early summer 2026, other resources will follow.
The Vetlife Suicide Prevention Resources series will cover a range of topics in veterinary suicide prevention, including guidance for managers in veterinary workplaces supporting staff who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, and safe practice around medicines and other aspects of risk.
The resources will also cover supporting colleagues who may be suicidal, as well as support for veterinary clients who disclose suicidal thoughts.
There will be a resource for veterinary professionals affected by suicidal thoughts, and strategic guidance for organisations wanting to work for veterinary suicide prevention.
There is some initial information about these resources here: Vetlife announces new suicide prevention resources for the veterinary professions – Vetlife
These new resources may support practices looking to implement the new RCVS Practice Standards Scheme Core Standards, which require practices to have a practice-specific suicide prevention plan from 1st April 2026.
Practice Suicide Prevention Plans: How we can help right now
Until the first resource is published in early summer 2026 Vetlife are collating email addresses of individuals who would like to be sent the resource direct. We would only use your address for sending content relating to this suicide prevention work. You can let us know if you would like to be on this list.
Until the resources are published we also offer bespoke guidance and support to practices with queries about suicide prevention, including about suicide prevention plans, through a small team of trained senior volunteers and staff. To access this support please get in touch via [email protected] and ask to speak with the Vetlife postvention support team about suicide prevention plans.
Dr Rosie Allister, Consultant Manager for Vetlife Helpline says: We recognise there is a real need to support veterinary practices with suicide prevention. We understand it can be challenging to balance needs in medicines access and staff safety. We also know that alongside steps around safety and prevention there must be effective and immediate help available for people who are struggling. The new resources are based on evidence, best practice, and years of experience in supporting practices and individuals in this area. We will publish the resources as soon as possible to support practices in meeting the new standards. We are also here to help now with practices looking to understand and mitigate risks, as well as to support individuals who need help. For anyone who is struggling or who wants to know more, please get in touch.
Hannah Sampson, Vetlife trustee says: “Suicide prevention is a priority for Vetlife. We know there is need from individuals and interest from practices and the wider profession for resources and expert guidance to help reduce the risk of suicide. Vetlife has begun the process of producing a series of resources which will provide practical evidence-based guidance on this crucial subject. We know that members of our profession care deeply about one another, and Vetlife is here to support everyone to help to make this profession safer. Individuals are invited to sign up to Vetlife monthly newsletters or follow Vetlife on social media for updates about the progress of the resources.”
If you have immediate concerns for a member of staff or need immediate support please call Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 (24 hours a day), or in an emergency call 999.
For confidential support call Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or email via www.vetlife.org.uk 24 hours a day
