VETERINARY WELLBEING ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

The Veterinary Wellbeing Alliance provides professionally curated content to help veterinary professionals focus on their well-being. This pilot project was launched through a partnership between Veterinary Medical Association Executives and Listeners On Call, which provides complimentary access to its services through the Alliance.

Joint Statement from AAVMC/AVMA on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Veterinary Profession

About the GVMA Wellness Committee

The Mission of the GVMA Wellness Committee is to provide wellness support that is inclusive of all who work in the field of veterinary medicine, regardless of role. We work to foster a statewide culture of veterinary wellness.

2023 Committee Members:

Victoria Bender, DVM
Taylor Chastain-Griffin, PhD
Jackie Eisner, DVM
Miranda Knight, DVM

Ellen Lapuck, DVM
Patti LeVan, Licensed Veterinary Technician
Lisa Reno, RVT
Taylor Richter, MS

Jennifer Rough, Regional Manager
Kaori Sakamoto, DVM, DACVP, PhD
Laura Smallwood, DVM, DACVIM-SAIM
Jaime Smoot-Speed, DVM

Jo Smith, DVM
Kathy Strickland, DVM
Ashley Tolleson, PhD

Suicide Help

If you are thinking of harming yourself, PLEASE, PAUSE and:

• Call 911.
• Call 988 to connect with the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
• Call your local county crisis line (see website for list of counties and phone numbers).
• Talk to your friends or family…tell them you need their help.
• Call a mental health care provider. Give them a chance to help you.
• Call your primary care provider.
• Talk with someone at Lifeline Crisis Chat.
• Join the AVMA Wellness Community.

For help with substance abuse call The Georgia HELPLINE at 1-800-338-6745.

If you think someone might harm themselves, or take their own life, TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY:

• Call 911 if you think it appropriate. Err on the side of caution.
• Call a suicide prevention line (800) 273-8255 or (800) 784-2433.
• Call your local county crisis line (see website for list of counties and phone numbers).
• Dedicate to helping in whatever way you can, without sacrificing you own well-being.

NOTE: The information contained in these self-help documents is not to be used as a substitute for professional care. Neither the authors nor the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) assume liability for injury incurred by following the information presented in these self-help resources.