Mind Matters Initiative Research Symposium 2025

On Friday, 10 October 2025, The RCVS will be celebrating 10 years of Mind Matters and are inviting all those interested in the field of veterinary mental health to get involved in our 2025 mental health research symposium – Advancing veterinary mental health research: learning from the past, considering the present, and looking to the future.

Our symposium presents a fantastic opportunity for knowledge exchange in the veterinary mental health research sphere so that, together, we can continue to foster a compassionate environment and build a solid evidence-base for veterinary mental health research to grow and evolve.

Across the day, delegates will have the opportunity to hear from a range of speakers, with an opportunity to network with fellow colleagues and exhibitors.

Register to attend 

Symposium programme and exhibition: 

Timings: 

09:00 - 09:45am - Registration, refreshments and welcome

10:00 - 10:30am - Welcome, opening remarks and reflecting on 10 years of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative - Lizzie Lockett, RCVS Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

10:30 - 10:55am - Recent developments from MMI - RCVS MMI, and Diversity and Inclusion Teams

11:00-11:30am - Morning refreshment break, poster presentations and networking

11:30 - 12:55pm - Morning research talks

12:55 - 1:55pm - Lunch break

1:55 - 3:15pm - Afternoon research talks

3:20 - 3:55pm - Afternoon refreshment break, poster presentations and networking

3:55 - 4:05pm - Mental health research grant recipients 2025

4:05pm - 4:30pm - Summary and closing remarks

4:30 - 6:00pm - Networking reception

6:00pm - Event closes

Research Talks:

On the day, delegates will have the chance to hear from previous Mind Matters Mental Health Research Grant recipients on topics such as mental health in student veterinary nurse education in the UK, and alcohol use behaviours and barriers to help seeking within UK veterinary practice.

Other research topics include:

• Organisational contributors and intervention strategies to address burnout in veterinary nurses.
• Staff experiences of teaching neurodivergent veterinary students in clinical learning environments.
• Confronting taken-for-granted truths – a systematic review of risk and protective factors associated with suicide risk in veterinary professionals.
• “For three of my four miscarriages, I was at work”: Workplace management of UK veterinary professionals’ miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility.
• How does attendance at Schwartz Rounds impact veterinary professionals experience in clinical practice?
• Nursing Matters: A mixed-methods study of workplace mental health in UK veterinary nurses and nursing students.

Register to attend 

Cost to attend

The following rates will apply:

Early Bird Rate: (from May 2025 to End of August 2025) - £45.00pp
Standard Rate: (from 1 September 2025 to October 2025) - £75.00pp

Concessionary rate: Students 18+ studying a full-time veterinary/mental health/psychology related course, and those who are currently unemployed or retired, may be entitled to a concessionary rate or free ticket. Those in these categories should email [email protected] for further information on how to apply.

Symposium enquiries

Please contact the MMI team or RCVS Events team for further information.