Mental Health & Wellness and Suicide Prevention
At UTCVM, we strive to ensure our students develop the non-technical skills needed for veterinary professional competence. Toward this end, all students take VMP 812, 822, 832, and 842–core courses partially focused on student wellness. These four courses (Professional Skills, Wellness, and Ethics I, I, III, and IV) are geared toward meeting the following competencies identified by the AAVMC Competency-Based Framework working group:
- Domain 7: Professionalism and Professional Identity
- Competency 7.5: Attends to wellbeing of self and others
- a. Recognizes sources of workplace stress and acts to remedy adverse situations
- b. Recognizes signs of stress in self and colleagues, engages in self-care and recognizes when professional suport is appropriate for self or others
- c. Manages expectations of client and self
Resources
Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network
1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TN to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255
This free resource from Banfield provides suicide prevention training, as well as information about warning signs and risk factors.
The AVMA provides tools and resources to support personal and professional wellbeing. The Web site contains information about steps that can be taken to support a culture of wellbeing, as well as how to find a wellbeing program or peer assistance. A
wellbeing self-assessment is also available.
24-Hour Helpline: 865-974-HELP (4357)
The UT Counseling Center offers mental health outreach and consultation services to students at the University of Tennessee. Their Web site includes
resources for time management, self-care, coping, anger management, addiction, depression, stress, anxiety, LGBTQ+ topics, eating disorders, sexual assault, and relationship violence. A 24-hour helpline is also available.
Hotline: 865-539-2409
Mobile Crisis Unit (MCU) provides a 24-hour crisis response system for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The program provides assessments, triage, and access to appropriate levels of care
UTCVM's Veterinary Social Work (VSW) program attends to human needs at the intersection of veterinary and social work practice. They are able to provide consultation and support for psychosocial issues that impact occupational or academic functioning for self or others. VSW also mediates conflicts and provides consultations and referrals. Students are able to receive 5 free counseling sessions per year.
VSW Helpline: 865-755-8839