One Health

In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day and National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I would like to share a few meaningful opportunities and resources:

Not One More Vet (NOMV): Support Veterinary Professionals

Behind every compassionate exam room visit is a veterinary professional who may be carrying more than meets the eye. Suicide Prevention Month is a powerful time for pet guardians to show support for the people who care for their beloved animals. Kindness goes a long way. A heartfelt thank-you, patience during busy times, or simply acknowledging the emotional labor of veterinary work can make a meaningful impact. You can also learn more about the mental health challenges in the field and share resources like NOMV's support programs and peer helpline. Together, we can build a culture of care, not just for animals, but for the humans who dedicate their lives to them.

Link to NOMV's Support Resources

QPR Suicide Prevention Training

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer-the three steps to help prevent suicide. This training teaches participants how to help colleagues and others who may be in crisis. Thanks to the AVMA (American Veteriary Medical Associations) QPR suicide prevention training, also known as gatekeeper training, is available for free to all members of the veterinary community. This program teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide, establish a dialogue, and guide the person to seek professional help. It can be a critical tool to save lives-and it's something that all veterinary professionals can learn to do.

The free training can be accessed here.

2027 Suicide Research Symposium

Submissions and registration for the 2027 Suicide Research Symposium are now open! This event is co-hosted with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and was developed to disseminate suicide research.

The Symposium provides the opportunity to:

• Present recent research findings
• Stay informed on developments in suicide research
• Advance inclusive and equitable practices in suicide research and prevention
• Network, connect, and build a diverse community with other suicide researchers across disciplines

Register Today (March 24th thru March 26th)

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Kayla Anderson
Veterinary Social Worker
Center for Pet Family Well-Being, the University of Tennessee
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Thank you @Kayla Anderson.💜

Suicide Prevention Is a One Health Issue

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a reminder that suicide prevention is not only about responding during a crisis. It is also about building communities where people feel connected, supported, and able to access help before a crisis occurs.

A One Health perspective asks us to look at the whole environment surrounding a person.

Mental well-being can be affected by relationships, housing, financial pressures, physical health, workplace culture, social connection, access to care, and many other community conditions. For people who share their lives with animals, pets are also part of that interconnected system of relationships and responsibilities.

When someone is struggling, support can mean more than asking, "Are you okay?" It can mean:

• noticing changes and checking in
• listening without judgment
• helping someone connect with professional support
• creating workplaces and communities where asking for help is safe
• considering the pets and other responsibilities a person may be worried about if they need treatment or time away
• following up-not just once, but again

Those of us working in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, social services, healthcare, public health, housing, and other community-based professions also have an opportunity to build systems that support both individual and community well-being.

Resources

☎️ 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. You do not have to be suicidal to contact 988.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

📘 CDC Suicide Prevention Resources - Information about prevention, risk and protective factors, and creating supportive community environments.
CDC Suicide Prevention

🐾 AVMA Wellbeing Resources - Mental health and wellbeing resources for veterinary professionals, including suicide-prevention education.
AVMA Wellbeing Resources

🎓 Free QPR Suicide Prevention Training for Veterinary Professionals - Learn to recognize warning signs, ask about suicide, and connect someone with appropriate help.
AVMA QPR Suicide Prevention Training

One Health recognizes that healthier people depend on healthier relationships, environments, workplaces, and communities-and that animals are part of many of those connections.

💬 What is one thing your organization, profession, or community could do to make it easier for someone to ask for help before they reach a crisis?

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
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