European veterinary organizations launch mental health initiatives

The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), and the International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting mental wellbeing within the veterinary profession. This effort is being conducted through the VetJoy initiative, which is supported by Zoetis.

Veterinary professionals across Europe face significant occupational challenges, including high workloads, emotional demands, workplace pressures, and burnout. To address these issues, leaders from national helpline and wellbeing services in Switzerland, Germany, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands recently convened for the 2nd European Veterinary Support Network Meeting.

Participants shared insights from various national initiatives, such as 24/7 professional counseling, peer-support networks, student outreach programs, and digital self-assessment tools. In the Netherlands, the Veterinair Vangnet helpline reported growing engagement since its launch in late 2025, receiving an average of four calls per week alongside email requests.