Navigating Conversations Around Suicide and the Impact of Social Media

***Trigger Warning*** It is important to note that this podcast discusses the sensitive subject of veterinary mental health and suicide. If you feel affected by any of this, please contact Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or via email: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/ Rosie Allister and James Russell bring their wealth of experience alongside evidence-based information about how best to talk about suicide within the veterinary profession both broadly on social media and when engaging with vulnerable individuals. Robyn Lowe BSc(Hons), Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, RVN talks to James Russell BVetMed FRCVS, president of Vetlife and Rosie Allister BSc(Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS. Rosie has extensive experience in veterinary mental health research and its implementation, including suicide prevention and postvention. She is also the Consulting Manager for Vetlife Helpline and has 20 years of experience working with Samaritans. We discuss the importance of talking to an individual who is experiencing mental distress about whether they want to end their life, and how by being caring and supportive in how we approach this, makes it a safe and positive thing to do. We also talk about the impact of posting comments involving suicide online, though unintentional it can be actively damaging and may be causal to additional subsequent suicidal behaviour. We explain the evidence base behind what is being shared online, and discuss how improving how and what is shared can be protective for veterinary mental health and suicide.   So, how can we talk about suicide safely? Because it is so important to talk about it! We need to be conscious of what language we use and be careful not to minimise the cause to one specific factor. Suicide is complex and nuanced. Oversimplifying it can be linked to deaths that would not otherwise have happened. We need to focus on where help can be found and that THERE IS HOPE.  Join us in this fascinating and educational podcast to learn how we can support and protect vulnerable individuals who may be affected by what we post online and by the media in ways that may not be easily foreseen.  For further support following this podcast, please see the following mental health support links: Vetlife: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/  Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxqOIOLmy34y3B3NcHxrJ4ff8XnjKLSYF1NDaSPsvoHe-Aq1_GC7PZcaAitZEALw_wcB