Veterinary mental health resource list
If you or another veterinary professional need help right now, we have contact information right now. If youd like to dig deeper into our professions special resources, we have that here too.
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Four years ago ...
In April 2015, dvm360, Firstline, Vetted and dvm360.com dug into the issues of mental health and wellbeing for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, managers and others working in America's animal hospitals. Learn more here.
Do you need help right now?
Are you experiencing thoughts of suicide or know someone at risk? Don't wait. Reach out right now below.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24/7, confidential, toll-free suicide prevention hotline for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. It works with a network of more than 150 local crisis centers that provide mental health referrals and counseling day and night. The Lifeline site provides crisis center locations and information about getting help.
- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
For more mental health resources, continue to the following pages.
Veterinary-specific resources
Suicide awareness in veterinary medicine: Should we be alarmed?
This free webinar from VetGirl discusses the growing concern of suicide in veterinary medicine.
Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community
Written by Charles R. Figley, PhD, and Robert G. Roop, PhD, this book examines the causes of compassion fatigue and offers help for fighting it.
When Helping Hurts: Compassion Fatigue in the Veterinary Profession
This book, published by the American Animal Hospital Association, offers veterinarians and their teams tips for recognizing compassion fatigue and provides strategies for how to deal with it.
University of Tennessee veterinary social work program
The University of Tennessee veterinary social work program provides resources and insights on grief and pet loss, animal-assisted interactions, the link between human and animal violence, and compassion fatigue and conflict management.
dvm360 reading list: Work-life balance
Recent articles on the topic:
dvm360 reading list: Burnout and compassion fatigue
Recent articles on the topic:
National associations
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
The AFSP is made up of scientists, survivors of suicide loss, people with mental disorders and their families, and a network of business and community members dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through education, research and advocacy. The group organizes events across the nation each year.
State-specific resources
Alabama
Colorado
- Laurie E. Fonken, PhD, LPC, is a private-practice therapist who works with practicing veterinarians, along with their team members and family members. Email: 1fonken1@comcast.net. Phone: (970) 988-3894.
Connecticut
Florida
- Barbara Welsch, DVM, PhD, is a licensed psychologist at the University of Florida Student Health Care Center. Email: psychvet@ufl.edu.
Georgia
Indiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association Wellness Committee Chair: Dr. George Messenger
New Mexico
Ohio
- The College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State University offers in-house support to current DVM students. The AVMA's general support page is recommended.
Oregon
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont
Washington
Proposed midlevel role poses unacceptable risks
October 30th 2024Proposals that would create a new midlevel practitioner (MLP) role raise serious concerns about the future of quality care for veterinary patients. Sometimes referred to as a veterinary professional associate (VPA), their duties would overlap those of a veterinarian and veterinary technician.
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