Who Ya’ Gonna Call - Helpline Phone Numbers and Websites

This is a list of community resources that can offer mental health help and support including suicide intervention and crisis support.

If you are with someone who needs mental health help: Actively listen, affirm and paraphrase what you are hearing them say, and decide:

• If this is an emergency call 911 immediately or go to local emergency department.

• Call the direct suicide/crisis support line at 988 or text 988 if you or another person is in crisis and suicidal. Visit 988.ca for more information.

  • This is available for anyone (not veterinary specific) in Canada. This is a crisis line for immediate help. It connects people to their local crisis centre.
  • A list of all crisis centers is available at suicideprevention.ca.

Western/CVMA Insurance Group

We know that taking care of your mental health is as important as your physical health and we’ve been working hard to bring visibility to the high-quality mental health care solutions available to plan members.

As we recently announced, we are also proud to be sponsoring Stronger Minds, a no-cost health program that provides crucial mental health support for all Canadians. Click here to access the program.

Togetherall is a leading mental health support resource that provides all veterinarians and student veterinarians access to a closed peer community of fellow veterinarians to connect and discuss common issues. Click here to join. 

Green Shield Canada (GSC) truly recognizes the importance of mental health. Click here for variety of articles and webinars that can help you focus on improving your mental health. You can also access support that is focused on women’s mental health along with Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help those who deal with anxiety and depression.

If your policy includes Group Life coverage through Western Financial Group, you have access to the Acumin Business Assistance Program. Acumin includes a counselling referral component for employees and human resource guidance for managers, along with access to Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) support if someone at your veterinary workplace experiences a traumatic event.

If your policy includes the Arive EAP coverage through Western Financial Group, employees and dependents have access to additional support through a self-referral counselling process. Call 1-877-412-7483 to get started.

CVMA VetConnect

Care, Community and Connection
You are not meant to do this alone and we are here to help. CVMA VetConnect Program features licensed and registered psychologists, social workers and therapists who also have the lived experience of being a veterinarian or RVT. Vet-focused help when you need it. Please note that the cost of therapy is the responsibility of the user. 

Ellen Nicklassen

As our mental health becomes more of a priority in veterinary medicine, we may start to wonder how to find someone to talk to when we struggle. Given the unique stressors in this profession, it can be challenging to find a counsellor who truly understands. Ellen Nicklassen started working in the veterinary field when she was 12 years old and has spent time in all positions in the veterinary setting. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 and owns a small animal practice in Kelowna, BC.

Ellen Nicklassen can be found at alli.io and offers EN sessions. Alli is an online based therapy group that services Canadian clients based on their financial capabilities. Look through the therapists to find Ellen and book a session to get you started on your journey to renewed mental health.

Liz Sinclair Kruth

Liz Sinclair Kruth is a registered psychotherapist, registered clinical counsellor and DVM. Prior to becoming a therapist, she was a clinical veterinarian for almost 10 years. As an emergency room veterinarian, in addition to helping animals, she helped people deal with decision making, grief, couple/family disagreements, and a myriad of other challenges.

Liz Sinclair Kruth can be found at lizsinclairkruthcounselling.com and and offers EN sessions. She can be contacted through email: lizsinclairkruth@protonmail.com and phone: 226-780-5223.

Are you a licensed and registered psychologist, social worker or therapist who also has the lived experience of being a veterinarian or RVT? Do you want to join the CVMA VetConnect list of therapists?  Email us at wellnessdei@cvma-acmv.org for more information!

Disclaimer: The CVMA is providing the subject list and contact information regarding registered counselors and therapists as a mechanism for communication with them. The CVMA does not endorse or recommend any of the listed professionals and accepts no responsibility or liability for their professional conduct, fees charged or the outcome of any counseling or liability for their professional conduct, fees charged or the outcome of any counseling or support services that they may provide. We encourage all users of this information to conduct their own due diligence before engaging any of these counselors or therapists. This is not an exhaustive list.  If you are a regulated counselor or therapist who is also a veterinary professional of you have experience and up-skilled yourself to support veterinary professionals, please email for more information on submission requirements and assessment process to be included in the list.

Veterinary Provincial Employee Family Assistance Plan (EFAP) Providers

Check with your association to ensure you have the most up to date information. As of October 21, 2024, the information is as follows:

University Support for Students

There are a variety of wellness resources offered at each University to support student veterinarians.

• University of Calgary: Mental Health Services
• University of Guelph: Student Wellness
• University of Montreal: Student Services
• University of Prince Edward Island: Health and Wellness
• University of Saskatchewan: Student Wellness Centre