The fifth annual RCVS Mind Matters Mental Health Research Symposium brought together researchers, clinicians, educators and veterinary professionals to share the latest insights into mental health and wellbeing across the profession.
Held in Birmingham on Friday 10 October 2025, the symposium marked a significant milestone - ten years of the Mind Matters Initiative - and showcased the breadth of research now shaping understanding of mental health in the veterinary world. What began as a pioneering effort by the RCVS to address stigma and raise awareness has evolved into a dynamic, evidence-driven programme focused on supporting individuals, improving workplace culture, and enabling the professions to thrive.
Insights from the 2025 symposium
We have created a report capturing the key themes, research findings and discussions from the day, which covered topics including education and training, workplace culture, substance use, neurodiversity, and suicide prevention. It also highlights the continued importance of combining lived experience with academic research to drive meaningful change.
Advisory: The report and accompanying videos include material that some people may find distressing. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, support resources are available at the end of the report or at MMI Get Support.
Symposium resources
Download the full report (PDF)
Download the event programme (PDF)
Videos from the day
Welcome and introduction
RCVS CEO Lizzie Lockett reflects on the growth of the Mind Matters Initiative and the College's role in advancing mental health support. Watch now
MMI project updates
Rapinder Newton, RCVS MMI Lead, and Lloyd Emeka, RCVS Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer, present updates on Mind Matters projects and the 'Let’s talk adjustments' campaign, highlighting new initiatives promoting workplace wellbeing. Watch now
Mental health education in veterinary nursing curricula: a multivocality qualitative study of further and higher education
Dr Jackie Hargreaves and Dr Faye Didymus explore how mental health education and placement support shape student veterinary nurses’ wellbeing and confidence. Watch now
Mental health, alcohol use behaviours and barriers to help seeking within UK veterinary practice: the MAB-VET study
Dr Jennifer Seddon and Dr Olivia Cormier MRCVS examine alcohol use in veterinary professionals and highlight links with wellbeing, stigma and workplace culture. Watch now
Workplace management of UK veterinary professionals’ miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility (MIAF)
Dr Zoe Belshaw FRCVS explores how miscarriage, infertility and assisted fertility experiences are affected by workplace culture in the veterinary professions. Watch now
Confronting taken-for-granted truths - a systematic review of risk and protective factors associated with suicide risk in veterinary professionals
James Glass MRCVS presents a systematic review of suicide risk in veterinary professionals, identifying key risk and protective factors across international studies. Watch now
Organisational contributors and intervention strategies to address burnout in veterinary nurses
Angela Chapman RVN explores organisational contributors to burnout in veterinary nurses and the challenges of finding nurse-specific evidence compared with veterinary surgeons. Watch now
Staff experiences of teaching neurodivergent veterinary students in clinical learning environments
Dr Kirstie Pickles MRCVS presents research on neurodiversity awareness in clinical teaching environments and variability in support for students. Watch now
2025 Mental Health Research Grant recipients announcement
Angharad Belcher, RCVS Director for Advancement of the Professions and Mind Matters, announces the Mind Matters Research Grant recipients. Watch now
A live illustrator was on hand to capture key themes, conversations and insights from across the symposium, translating presentations and discussions into a real-time visual record of the event.
