Get help

Resources for veterinarians

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. As medical professionals ourselves, we know the importance of both preventive care and treating illness. It's important to remember that this applies to our own mental wellbeing as well as physical health.

If you feel 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. You're not alone, and there are people who can help you. Do you recognize potential signs in a friend or colleague? Offer them support, but also get help from experienced mental health professionals. We offer free suicide prevention training to teach AVMA and SAVMA members how to identify at-risk colleagues and guide them to get professional support. The following resources also can help:

Help for veterinarians and other medical personnel

State wellbeing programs for veterinary professionals – Numerous states have wellbeing programs to help veterinary personnel and their families. We've aggregated contact information, as well as an overview of the varied laws and regulations governing these state programs, including confidentiality provisions.

University of Tennessee veterinary social work program – Any veterinarian, not just Tennessee graduates, can contact a veterinary social worker at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville School of Veterinary Social Work. Call 1-865-755-8839 during business hours, or email vetsocialworkutk [dot] edu (vetsocialwork[at]utk[dot]edu).

Federation of State Physician Health Programs – Specific services and who is served vary by state.

Additional resources:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

American Psychological Association Therapist Locator

National Institute of Mental Health Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Suicide Prevention Lifeline resources

More wellbeing resources