Get support
Find links to crisis support, mental health services and professional guidance specifically tailored for UK veterinary professionals, students and support staff.
While life in a veterinary team can be rewarding, it’s challenging too. Sometimes, the pressures and stresses can feel overwhelming. If you need help, the following services are here to provide you confidential, professional advice and care.
The Mind Matters Initiative doesn't offer direct support and advice services. Our role is to raise awareness and share reliable, evidence-based information about mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary professions.
If you are in crisis or need immediate medical help, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or visit your local A&E department.
Vetlife
Vetlife Helpline
Talking to others can help lighten the load. That’s where Vetlife Helpline comes in. It’s available 24/7 to listen and offer a safe, non-judgemental space for you speak to somebody in confidence and explore your options. Since 2015, we've provided more than £1.3 million in funding to Vetlife through MMI. This helps keep the helpline running, so there's always someone ready to listen when you reach out.
It’s for everyone in the veterinary community including non-clinical staff and students. All calls are confidential, and callers are referred on for specialist advice where appropriate. To send a confidential email, you will need complete the registration form.
Talk to someone: 0303 040 2551
Website: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/
Vetlife Health Support
Vetlife Health Support offers free help to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students who are experiencing mental health difficulties, including, but not limited to stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug misuse and eating disorders. It is confidential and is made up of a team of professionals: psychiatrists; mental health nurses; and therapists who have years of experience working in mental health.
Contact through the main Vetlife helpline above.
Vetlife Financial Support
There are times in many of our lives when we run into financial difficulties. Vetlife Financial Support are able to provide emergency assistance as well as regular grants, or one-off gifts. Referral can also be made to specialists who can help with debts and benefit advice, and can arrange free CPD.
Although Vetlife is currently only able to offer financial support to veterinary surgeons, registered veterinary nurses and their dependants that are resident in the UK, it is worth contacting us if you are a student because we may be able to refer you to another charity.
Contact through the main Vetlife helpline above.
VetSupport
Sometimes, you need more than just one conversation. VetSupport offers longer-term coaching to help you work through ongoing challenges.
This voluntary network connects you with ‘peer supporters’ who can help with:
- Managing overwhelm, anxiety or stress
- Forward planning and decision making
- Finding a healthy work-life balance
VetSupport takes a coaching approach, which means the volunteers work with you to find your own solutions. They won't tell you what to do, but they'll provide support as you figure out what's right for you.
We provide funding through our Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) to train volunteers for VetSupport, ensuring they have the skills to offer meaningful help.
Professional Conduct Investigation Support (PCIS)
Going through a professional conduct investigation can be an isolating and stressful experience. Professional Conduct Investigation Support (PCIS) is here specifically for veterinary professionals in this situation.
This service is part of VetSupport. It offers confidential listening and emotional support from volunteers trained to understand the investigation process.
You can access this support if you're:
- A veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse going through an RCVS professional conduct investigation
- Raising a complaint against a fellow professional
- Acting as a witness in a case
Professional support
The RCVS
If you're facing a professional dilemma, or if a concern has been raised about you, we can provide professional help, guidance and educational support.*
- Phone: 020 7222 2001
- Visit our concerns page
Samaritans
Free 24-hour confidential emotional support for anyone in distress or despair.
- Phone: 116 123
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit the Samaritans website
Mental health support
You can contact a GP for advice, and referral to local psychological therapies team. In England, Scotland and Wales/Cymru, you can also self-refer to your local NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) service.
You may also be able to access online CBT programmes such as SilverCloud.
If you need more urgent help and support, you can contact NHS 111 in England,
Scotland, and Wales/Cymru, or Lifeline in Northern Ireland on 0808 808 8000 to receive support and advice. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can also find useful advice from the RNID on using the confidential relay service Relay UK, to contact NHS 111 and Lifeline.
You can also contact a GP Surgery and ask for an emergency appointment.
If you are in crisis or need immediate medical help call 999 and ask for an Ambulance or visit your local A&E department.
- Mental Health Foundation - resources and information about mental health
- Mind - mental health charity providing advice and support
Students and young people
- Student Space - mental health support for students
- Young Minds - mental health support for young people
- British Veterinary Nursing Association student support - support specifically for veterinary nursing students
- Papyrus - UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people