Podcasts, resources and more! This new website was created by Mars Veterinary Health and contains helpful tools and information for managing one’s emotional and mental health. This toolkit of valuable information and resources is designed to help lighten the load, help you prioritize self-care and show you that there is always somebody listening.
Placing a priority on mental health enables healthcare professionals to better take care of themselves and their patients.
Veterinarians face singular challenges in their jobs, and the rates of suicide and depression are unusually high among U.S. veterinarians. It’s critical that we take steps to care for our emotional and mental health.
The Veterinary Hope Foundation is a non-profit committed to helping veterinarians and veterinary teams who are struggling with their mental health. The foundation employs nine licensed mental health professionals who lead veterinary support groups at no charge. There are support groups for new moms, shelter veterinarians, livestock veterinarians, practice owners, practice managers, and veterinary technicians. New groups are forming to meet the needs of those who reach out. Those interested in joining a support group can do so at www.veterinaryhope.org.
“We’ve found that group members quickly form deep, authentic bonds because they’re at a similar life stage or in a similar role. They’re able to be vulnerable, which is healing in itself when you’re wired to always be the caregiver instead of the care receiver”, said Dr. Blair McConnel, President of the Board of Veterinary Hope Foundation.