Wellbeing resources for veterinary professionals

Wellbeing resources for veterinarians
In this article:
  • Discover AVMA tools and learning opportunities to build a culture of wellbeing in your workplace.
  • Learn effective strategies for preventing or responding to a suicide.
  • Find out what to do if you or someone you know needs help now.

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Wellbeing resources for veterinarians

The wellbeing of veterinary professionals remains a top priority for our profession and a key priority 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.

If you believe you’re in crisis—or know someone who is—please get help now.

Get help now

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. These hotlines offer 24-hour support.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. Call 988 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s Crisis Chat team.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day information service for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project provides free, confidential 24/7 crisis support to LGBTQ young people struggling with issues such as coming out, LGBTQ identity, depression, and suicide.

DeafLEAD Crisis Line

DeafLEAD offers a 24-hour crisis line for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, their families, and anyone needing information on Deaf services.

Other resources

BlackLine

Peer support, counseling, reporting of mistreatment, witnessing, and affirming the lived experiences for those who are most impacted by systematic oppression with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme Lens.

Trans Lifeline

Peer support phone service for trans and questioning people run by trans people. 

Warmlines directory

A warmline is a peer-run listening line staffed by people in mental health recovery. The warmlines in this directory are listed by state.

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International statement on 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)

View statement

JOIN THE MMI COMMUNITY

Would your organization like to sign onto the MMI initiative? Get started with this application