Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-pomeranian-getting-checked-by-a-a-veterinarian-6235118/
Two projects exploring how to better support mental health and wellbeing among veterinary professionals and students have been awarded a share of £20,000 from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative (MMI).
The 2025 grants include a £5,000 Discovery Grant for a Nottingham Trent University team investigating how reasonable adjustments can be implemented to support student veterinary nurses with mental health conditions and neurodivergence during clinical placements.
A further £15,000 Impact Grant has been awarded to a collaboration between Professor Elinor O’Connor of the University of Manchester and Dr Kevin Teoh of Birkbeck, University of London, who will research interventions that can help veterinary workplaces create healthier, more supportive environments.
Angharad Belcher, RCVS director for the advancement of the professions, said research plays an essential role in shaping practical, evidence-based support for the sector. She said:
“Since 2019, through Mind Matters we’ve provided more than £155,000 of funding to a wide range of veterinary mental health research projects focused on contemporary challenges, and are proud to be supporting work which has tangible outcomes”
Dr Heather Imrie, who leads the Nottingham Trent University project alongside Dr Lauren Cooke, Dr Gregory Steele and Nicola-Jayne Johnson, said the funding would help highlight the challenges faced by student veterinary nurses.
Professor O’Connor said her team’s research will focus on systemic workplace stressors rather than solely on individual coping strategies, added:
“Our project will develop evidence-based, practical guidance for veterinary workplaces on identifying and implementing effective interventions to support staff wellbeing. This shift in approach has the potential to foster healthier workplace cultures, reduce burnout, and enhance staff engagement and retention,”
The MMI programme, launched by the RCVS to improve mental health across the veterinary professions, has become a key driver of research and resources to help address stress, burnout and attrition within the sector.
