Wellbeing
In this article:
- Discover AVMA tools and resources that support personal and professional wellbeing.
- Learn steps you can take at work and home to support a culture of wellbeing.
- Learn how to find a wellbeing program or peer assistance contact in your state.
Get help now: Dial 988
If you believe you’re in crisis, please get help immediately. Call 988 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Crisis Chat team.
Share with your team
Download this poster in color or black and white to post in your break room or other staff area.
Preventing and responding to suicide
Download and use these free resource guides to understand and implement effective strategies to prevent suicides and help veterinary workplaces and college communities recover after a suicide.
Your health matters
The wellbeing of veterinary professionals is one of the most important issues facing our profession, and a critical focus of the AVMA. Improving wellbeing is a shared responsibility that requires a committed effort by all members of our community. Practice teams, business owners, veterinary colleges, organizations, and individuals all have important roles to play.
Begin here: Assess your wellbeing
Start your journey to improved wellbeing with the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) assessment. This test helps you measure your current balance of positive and negative personal and work-related experiences. Use the results as a starting point to create a self-care plan and pinpoint areas to incorporate health and wellbeing improvements into your life.
Workplace wellbeing
Wellbeing in the workplace is crucial—not only to team members' individual health and happiness, but also to our practice's success. A healthy and supportive work environment can boost productivity, increase job satisfaction, and help everyone focus on the important work of caring for patients. It also can make individual practices stand out to potential job candidates, making it easier to secure top talent as we grow our businesses.
Wellbeing training and education
Live your healthiest and most fulfilled life at work and at home, and help colleagues do the same. From online webinars and trainings to certificate programs and in-person events, AVMA empowers you to take ownership of your wellbeing and make health-centered decisions at work and home.
CE webinars on AVMA Axon®
QPR suicide prevention training
Communication training for veterinary educators
Help when you need it
Knowing when to reach out for help – and doing it – might be the most important part of your wellbeing plan. No one can do everything alone, and this is especially true where mental health is involved. If you believe that you’re in crisis, please get help immediately by calling 1-800-273-8255 or contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Crisis Chat team. Find more resources here.
Tools to strengthen your veterinary team
Our teams are the lifeblood of our practices. Learn how to build a more cohesive and collaborative staff unit while helping your team communicate more efficiently, overcome challenges, and grow together.
Cyberbullying and how to handle it
Protect your reputation, limit your risk, and discover ways to respond to cyberbullies. AVMA's reputation management toolkit has the practical resources you need.
Latest wellbeing news from AVMA@Work
Clinical trial offers workshops to reduce burnout
November 15, 2023
Mentoring now available to more early-career veterinarians
August 30, 2023
Chart of the Month: What’s in your benefits package?
July 14, 2023
Chart of the Month: New veterinarians prioritize mentorship
June 13, 2023
President's column: Helping the veterinary profession combat cyberbullying
April 19, 2023
International statement: Veterinary mental health and wellbeing
Working together to improve wellbeing across the veterinary community, AVMA and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) joined forces under the umbrella of Mind Matters International (MMI) to draft and approve a joint statement on mental health and wellbeing. It has been adopted by these organizations:
AVMA (July 2018)
RCVS (July 2018)
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (August 2019)
Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (August 2019)
World Small Animal Veterinary Association (August 2019)
American Association of Veterinary State Boards (December 2020)
Veterinary Council of New Zealand (May 2021)
Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (May 2021)
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (July 2021)
Australian Veterinary Association (December 2021)
Veterinary Medical Association Executives (April 2022)
Join the MMI community
Would your organization like to sign onto the MMI initiative? Get started with this application
