It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Supporting Mental Health and Embracing Neurodiversity in the Veterinary World
By the Vetmatch Recruitment Team
May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to reflect, support, and most importantly, talk. As an experienced veterinary recruiter, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with hundreds of dedicated vets and nurses over the years. Many are clinical leaders, exceptional in their fields, but behind their professionalism and passion can lie unspoken struggles.
The veterinary profession is full of compassion – but often that compassion is directed more outward than inward. It’s time we flip the script and ensure we are caring for ourselves and each other, just as fiercely as we do our patients.
The Silent Strain Behind the Smiles
Veterinary work is more than a job – it’s a calling. But with it comes emotional fatigue, long hours, ethical challenges, and often an overwhelming sense of responsibility. For experienced professionals who are often the pillars of their teams, the expectation to stay “strong” can become a quiet burden.
Many of the vets and nurses I speak to describe feelings of burnout, fatigue, or anxiety. Others have battled depression or experienced emotional trauma linked to euthanasia or client conflict. Sadly, many still feel they have to keep these feelings to themselves – and that needs to change.
Mental Health Month: A Reminder, Not a Checkbox
Mental Health Awareness Month isn't just about posters in the staff room or a wellbeing webinar. It’s about creating lasting change in the culture of veterinary practice. We need to normalise conversations around mental health, not just when things reach crisis point.
This is especially important for experienced professionals, who are often seen as the ones who "have it all together." In reality, they may feel isolated in their struggles. Creating safe, non-judgmental spaces to talk is crucial – and often starts with the simple act of asking, “How are you really?”
Neurodiversity: A Vital (and Often Overlooked) Conversation
Alongside mental health, we also need to widen the conversation to include neurodiversity. Many of the most talented veterinary professionals I’ve worked with are neurodivergent – living with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or other cognitive differences. They often bring incredible attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and deep empathy to their work.
Yet too often, our profession still unconsciously caters to a neurotypical standard – from fast-paced consultation models to high-pressure environments that lack flexibility.
We need to move towards inclusivity not just in theory but in practice. That means adapting working styles, offering flexible schedules, fostering open conversations, and celebrating the strengths that neurodiverse professionals bring.
What Can You Do Today?
Whether you're a vet in a leadership role, a nurse supporting colleagues, or a practice owner shaping culture, here are a few small but meaningful steps you can take:
Check in with colleagues – genuinely and regularly.
Encourage vulnerability – share your own challenges if it feels safe.
Champion flexible working – especially for neurodiverse or burnout-prone team members.
Signpost support – organisations like Vetlife, Mind Matters, and the BVA’s Wellbeing Hub offer excellent resources.
You Are Not Alone
At Vetmatch Recruitment, we don’t just place people in jobs – we help them find the right fit for who they are as whole people, not just as professionals. Whether you're looking for a fresh start, a slower pace, a part time role or a practice that celebrates neurodiversity, we’re here to walk that journey with you.
Because no matter how experienced you are, you deserve support. You deserve kindness. And you deserve to be well.
Let’s keep the conversation going – this month and every month.