Changing the Conversation About Suicide in Veterinary Medicine | Episode 74 | Reviving Vet Med

Conversations about suicide can be uncomfortable—but they’re essential. In this thoughtful and deeply informative episode, we speak with Dr. Jen Brandt, Director of Member Wellbeing Initiatives at the American Veterinary Medical Association, to talk about suicide prevention, stigma reduction, and building truly supportive workplaces in veterinary medicine.

With advanced suicidology training and a career dedicated to mental health and wellbeing, Jen brings nuance, clarity, and compassion to a topic too often oversimplified or shrouded in myth. We discuss common misconceptions—such as the idea that veterinarians have the very highest suicide rates or that client interactions are the primary cause of risk—and explore the far more complex factors at play.

Jen also shares why language matters when talking about suicide, how veterinary professionals can recognize and respond to warning signs, and the empowering role of trainings like QPR or ASK. We delve into the stigma that still keeps too many from seeking help, and what individuals and organizations alike can do to change that.

Whether you’re a veterinary professional, a leader in the field, or simply someone who cares about mental health, this conversation offers insight, actionable steps, and hope for a more compassionate future in veterinary medicine. 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call or text 988 in the United States or Canada, or visit https://findahelpline.com/ to find a helpline in your country.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/YtJluZkYqWc

Resources
AVMA resources pertaining to suicide (scroll down and select Suicide Prevention and Support): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing 

Toolkit for people impacted by suicide: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Toolkit-for-people-who-have-been-impacted-by-a-suicide-loss.pdf 

Media guidelines for suicide prevention: https://suicideprevention.ca/media/media-guidelines/ 

Recommendations for reporting on suicide: https://reportingonsuicide.org/ 

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