How Vet Schools are Trying to Address the Mental Health Challenges Plaguing Veterinarians

Veterinarians face significant mental health challenges, with suicide rates twice as high as the general population. Chelsea Van Thof, a veterinarian, lost her partner and vet school classmate, Peter Tripp, to suicide, highlighting the emotional toll of the profession. Factors such as imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the inability of animal patients to communicate their pain contribute to stress. Easy access to euthanasia drugs also plays a role in the high suicide rate.

To address these issues, some Veterinary schools, like Ohio State University, have integrated mental health education into their curriculum. Programs like Be Well provide counseling, therapy, and open discussions to support students’ well-being. These initiatives emphasize resilience, self-care, and a sense of belonging. Van Thof, now advocating for suicide prevention, successfully campaigned to increase bridge barriers in Washington, D.C. Schools hope these efforts will reduce tragedies, though measuring success remains challenging.