Mental Health In Veterinary-Medicine - Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month

Hi Future Vets, it’s Maegen here, and today we are going to touch on a topic near and dear to my heart.
May is National Mental Health Month, a time to check in with ourselves and others, and to have honest conversations about mental well-being. This month makes it the perfect time to talk about something that often gets overlooked, especially in careers we’re passionate about. In veterinary medicine, those conversations are especially important, because while the profession is built on compassion, it also comes with unique emotional challenges that can’t be ignored.

​When people think about becoming a veterinarian, they usually picture the best parts, which includes helping animals, saving lives, and doing work that actually matters. And honestly, that part is true. Veterinary medicine can be one of the most meaningful careers out there. However, like most things, that is not the entire story. Mental health in veterinary medicine is something that doesn’t get talked about enough, especially for students who are just starting to think about this path. Research shows that veterinarians experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout compared to the general population. In fact, studies have found that veterinarians are two to four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.¹ That statistic can feel shocking. It should. But it also deserves context.
This isn’t happening because veterinarians are weak or “can’t handle it.” But rather because veterinarians don’t just treat animals, but they also support owners and farmers, navigate financial limitations, and make difficult ethical decisions every single day. Imagine caring deeply about an animal but knowing the owner can’t afford treatment. Imagine performing euthanasia and carrying that emotional weight home with you, multiple times throughout your career. Over time, that builds up, as it would with anyone. There’s even a term for part of this: compassion fatigue, which is the emotional strain that comes from constantly caring for others in distress.² In veterinary medicine, this is especially intense because you’re often dealing with both suffering animals and anxious or grieving owners at the same time. Studies in Ontario have shown high levels of burnout and secondary traumatic stress among veterinarians, which are key components of this kind of emotional exhaustion.³ And on top of that, there are other pressures such as long hours, student debt, perfectionism, and sometimes unrealistic expectations from clients.
So where does that leave someone who still wants to become a veterinarian? Not discouraged, but aware. Because the goal isn’t to ignore these realities, but rather to prepare for them in a healthier way.
One of the biggest mindset shifts is understanding that caring for animals doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself. You are allowed to have boundaries. You are allowed to rest. And you are allowed to not be okay sometimes. Mental health isn’t something you “fix” once, but it’s something you maintain, just like physical health. That might look like building a strong support system, talking openly about stress instead of hiding it, finding ways to decompress outside of work, even small things matter, and learning early that you cannot save every animal, and that doesn’t mean you failed. It also means actually using the resources that exist.
In Ontario, veterinarians have access to confidential support programs and the 9-8-8 crisis helpline, which is available 24/7.³ The fact that these supports exist is important, as it shows that the profession is starting to recognize the problem and take it seriously. At the same time, the culture in veterinary medicine is slowly shifting. More people are speaking up about mental health, sharing their experiences, and pushing for better working conditions and support systems. The idea that you just have to “tough it out” is being challenged, and that’s an amazing thing.
If you’re part of Future Vets Club, or part of the pre-veterinary medicine community, chances are you care deeply about animals. That passion is what draws people into this field, but it’s also what makes it emotionally demanding. You don’t have to ignore that to follow your dream. You just have to go into it with your eyes open.
Veterinary medicine isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Some days are hard. Some moments stay with you. But it is still a career filled with purpose, connection, and impact. The difference is learning how to care for yourself while you care for others. Because becoming a veterinarian is an incredible goal, but staying one, and staying well, is just as important.
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Mental Health Resources if you or a loved one is struggling:
• 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text, 24/7, Canada)
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) mental health and wellness resources
• Togetherall (anonymous online peer support for anyone)
• Wellness Together Canada (free online mental health support)
• Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) programs and support groups
• In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital

Reminder: You don’t have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. Support is there for everyday stress, burnout, and everything in between, not just crisis situations.
Keep being amazing, Future Vets!
Kind regards,
Maegen Eisler
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References
1. https://www.npr.org/2023/12/19/1220443869/why-suicide-rates-are-high-among-veterinary-professionals
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6973204/
3. https://www.cvo.org/veterinary-practice/your-well-being-is-important
4. https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/veterinary-resources/veterinary-health-and-wellness-resources/mental-health-awareness-resources/