Banfield Combats Vet Suicide Crisis

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Press release: Banfield Pet Hospital

The veterinary industry is in crisis. One in six veterinarians consider suicide, and one in 10 suffer from severe psychological distress. Timed with National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Banfield Pet Hospital  announced “ASK” (Assess, Support, Know) at its 18^th annual Pet Healthcare Industry Summit in Portland, Oregon. The first of its kind, Banfield designed ASK specifically for veterinary professionals to help them recognize and address emotional distress and suicidal thoughts in themselves and others.

In observance of the 1-in-6 statistic, Banfield also announced plans to do the following by January 6, 2020:

1. Close schedules at all 1,000+ Banfield hospitals nationwide for two hours to facilitate an interactive mental health and well-being training for its more than 19,000 hospital associates
2. Make the ASK training available as a free resource for the entire veterinary profession
3. Share the ASK training as a free resource with all U.S. veterinary colleges

“At Banfield, delivering high-quality preventive pet care is a top priority, but just as important is extending that same preventive care to our people,” said Brian Garish, president, Banfield Pet Hospital. “As a practice, we are proactively prioritizing mental health and well-being resources such as ASK because we take seriously our responsibility to create meaningful change and make a positive impact on society, today and tomorrow.”

Designed to create an environment in which veterinary professionals can focus on what matters most to them—providing high-quality care to pets—Banfield’s ASK training is one of several programs and resources the practice offers its associates to support a holistic health and well-being approach, ranging from a Veterinary Student Debt Relief Program to an Associate Assistance Program.

In total, Banfield will invest more than $3 million in mental health resources and tools like ASK by the end of 2020—and it is not alone in the fight. With suicide the second-leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has also signed on in support of ASK.

“At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide,” said Maggie Mortali, MPH, senior program director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “We commend Banfield Pet Hospital for its efforts  to educate and raise awareness among high-risk communities like veterinary professionals; and for providing mental health tools and suicide prevention resources that enable people to support each other in difficult times. We are encouraged by Banfield’s new ASK program and believe it has the potential to help enable important conversations and help-seeking behavior, and save lives.”

Banfield’s new training will also complement existing resources offered by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

“As part of our ongoing commitment to bring awareness and take action to help veterinarians in crisis, we want to commend Banfield Pet Hospital on their continued focus on veterinary well-being and we are excited as they develop additional tools to help veterinary professionals,” said Dr. John Howe, president of American Veterinary Medical Association. “Their investment towards health and well-being is a reflection of their commitment to their employees as well as the entire profession. Banfield’s efforts complement existing resources like QPR Suicide Prevention, giving veterinary professionals additional resources to have meaningful conversations and expand safety nets within hospitals, veterinary schools, and beyond.”