Veterinarian Well-being

Connections and Outreach

AASV Veterinarian Well-being Video
Watch AASV member veterinarians share their personal stories and advice in the veterinarian well-being video created for the 50th Golden Anniversary AASV Annual Meeting.

The national Disaster Distress Helpline provides crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.

HEARD VET: Swine Veterinarian Virtual Support Group | Protocol
AASV's confidential support group sessions have been discontinued at this time.

Assess Your Well-being

Start your path to improved professional and personal well-being by assessing your well-being through self-reflection and goal setting.

Well-being Assessment for Veterinarians
The Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Assessment is a self-administered test of 30 questions to help you understand your current balance of positive and negative personal and work-related experiences.

Princeton UMatter Wellness Self-Assessment
You can use this self-assessment tool to determine the areas of wellness (emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual) where you are thriving, as well as those that may need greater attention. Access in the hyperlink or download here.

Wellness Wheel Activity Instructions and Wellness Wheel Activity
Assess your well-being by following the instructions to fill out the Wellness Wheel Activity and complete an action plan.

Improve Your Well-being

Well-being can always be improved or enhanced through countless opportunities. Explore the resources below to learn more.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Well-being Website

• Discover AVMA tools and resources that support personal and professional well-being
• Learn steps you can take at work and home to support a culture of well-being
• Learn how to find a well-being program or peer assistance contact in your state

AVMA Wheel of Well-being
The AVMA Wheel of Well-being highlights three dimensions of wellness – physical, social, and emotional – with tips that you can do at home, at work, and on-the-go. It also includes a clear pocket to insert a reminder of what you are passionate about, such as a photo, a word, a quote, or anything else that motivates you to be at your best.

100 Healthy Tips to Support a Culture of Well-being
Get 100 practical suggestions to support healthful living at work and at home. AVMA’s guide offers steps for both individuals and organizations to take in nine dimensions of well-being.

My Veterinary Life
Resources, including well-being resources, for students and early career veterinarians from the AVMA to ease the transition from student to veterinarian.

State Well-being Programs for Veteirnary Professionals

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Health and Wellness Resources

Help Yourself and Others

Veterinarians interact with and are responsible for the health and well-being of animals and people every day. Use these resources to support your team and the producers you work with.

AVMA Workplace Well-being Certificate Program
The AVMA Workplace Well-being Certificate Program (free to AVMA and SAVMA members and $75 for nonmembers) offers 4 CE hours and information on creating a culture of well-being in the workplace. The four-module course, which covers requesting and giving feedback, resolving conflict, assessing and managing suicide risk, and supporting diversity and inclusion, is available online.

Animal Depopulation Resiliency Check-in Tool
This is a five-item resiliency check-in tool that can be used by veterinarians and other animal-related professionals who are preparing for, participating in, and recovering from animal-depopulation. Available in English and Spanish.

Recognize Stress

Farm and Ranch Family Stress and Depression: A Checklist and Guide for Making Referrals, Colorado State University Extension

Manage Stress

Your Guide to Mental Health, Farm Journal's Pork

Producer Wellness: Stress and Coping, National Pork Board

Stress and Mental Health Resources, Upper Midwest Agriculture Safety and Health Center (UMASH)
Stress, depression, and suicide are on the mind of agricultural communities, where economic, social, and environmental forces challenge the health and safety of farmers, agricultural workers and their families. UMASH is working to provide resources and build partnerships to stimulate innovation and action.

Webinars

Webinar: Resilience in the Era of COVID-19 Iowa Pork Industry Center
During this presentation, Dr. David Brown (Behavioral Health State Specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach) and Dr. Cameron Schmitt (Veterinarian with Pipestone Veterinary Services) offered their real-world insights, experiences and practical tools to develop mental resilience and provide coping strategies in the face of COVID-19.

Webinar: Responder and Farmer Wellbeing Before, During, and After an Animal Health Emergency, USDA APHIS VS
The presentation discussed an explanation of wellbeing; suggestions to support and enhance it before, during and after a response for responders and farmers; and options for assisting others with procedures, and processes that have proven effective with other emergencies.

Webinar: Coping with Grief and Loss During and Animal Disease Event, USDA APHIS VS
In this webinar, we discussed how to connect with animal owners and help them cope with grief and loss during euthanasia and depopulation events.

Prevent Suicide

Veterinarians have a higher risk of suicide than the general public. Learn to save lives.

Suicide Awareness Videos from AVMA

• What should you do if someone tells you they're thinking about suicide?
• What is the correct terminology for talking about suicide and does it matter?
• What does suicide contagion mean and what can be done to prevent it?
  

AVMA Gatekeeper (QPR) Training
QPR training, also known as gatekeeper training, teaches people without professional mental health backgrounds to recognize the signs that someone may be considering suicide and guide the person to seek professional help. Because of the importance of mental well-being in the veterinary profession, the AVMA is providing gatekeeper training to a limited number of veterinarians and veterinary students. QPR training is free for AVMA and SAVMA members. You can also access the QPR training website directly; the short training is available for a nominal fee.

Mental Health First Aid Training
Mental Health First Aid is an 8-hour course offered by trained facilitators and is listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Individuals will learn how to identify, understand and respond to those who may be experiencing a mental health related problem or crisis. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering several Mental Health First Aid workshops throughout Iowa during 2020 with free registration for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and other agribusiness professionals with code ADVOCATE. Register at ISU Extension.

CDC Suicide Prevention