Citation

Mellanby RJ, Hudson NPH, Allister R, Bell CE, Else RW, Gunn-Moore DA, Byrne C, Straiton S, Rhind SM. Vet. Rec. 2010; 167(19): 730-734.

Affiliation

Veterinary Teaching Organisation/Division of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, British Veterinary Association, Publisher BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/vr.c5427

PMID

21257507

Abstract

In an effort to increase suicide awareness skills among veterinary undergraduates, a three-hour suicide awareness workshop (safeTALK) was delivered to third-year Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies undergraduates as part of their professional development curriculum. Students were able to opt out of the session by contacting the course organisers. A total of 26 of 151 (17 per cent) third-year students attended the workshop, and 17 completed a feedback questionnaire. The vast majority of the students reported that after completing the workshop they were more likely or much more likely to recognise the signs of a person at risk of suicide, approach a person at risk of suicide, ask a person about suicide, and connect a person at risk of suicide with help. Five veterinary academics attended a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) course, and all reported that the course was effective in improving suicide awareness and intervention skills.

Language: en