#095: Mental Health First Aid in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary professionals are often trained to care for everyone except themselves. But what if they had the tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges within their own teams? Dr. Sonja Olson, DVM, C-MMT, and Susan Swendsen, MSSW, LCSW, VSW from Full Circle Lab join Crystal to explore how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)is reshaping the conversation around well-being in veterinary medicine.
Susan shares how MHFA began in Australia in 2000 with founders Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm, grew to 29 countries, and aims to train one in every fifteen people worldwide. Introduced in the U.S. in 2008, the program equips everyday people with the confidence to recognize early signs of mental distress and connect others to the help they need before a crisis occurs.
The group talks about how MHFA differs from therapy. It’s a peer-support model designed to help colleagues feel prepared to respond when someone is struggling. Sonja breaks down the ALGEE action plan: Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help. She explains how this structured, step-by-step approach resonates with the way veterinary professionals think and problem-solve.
The conversation highlights the power of early intervention, the importance of reducing stigma, and how empathy can protect against secondary traumatic stress. The team also shares practical ways for veterinary clinics to bring MHFA training into their workplaces through the National Council for Behavioral Health, and how learning these skills together can strengthen connection, compassion, and care across the profession.
What’s Inside:
How Mental Health First Aid started in Australia and went global
Why MHFA is different from therapy but just as powerful in veterinary care
Step-by-step guide to the ALGEE action plan for real-life crises
Simple ways to break stigma and start honest conversations about mental health
Early intervention tips to prevent burnout and secondary trauma
How to get certified and bring MHFA training to your clinic
Building stronger, more connected veterinary teams through peer support
Today’s Guest:
Dr. Sonja Olson brings 10 years of experience supporting veterinary professionals through crisis care, emotional well-being, and peer mentorship. With credentials including DVM, C-MMT, and MHFA Instructor, she specializes in providing grounded, compassionate support during critical moments. One of her proudest career experiences was being an emergency clinician and peer supporter during Hurricane Katrina. Sonja is motivated by the strength and heart of the veterinary community, and she’s inspired daily by her calling to serve. Her coaching style is compassionate, curious, and practical. She starts her day with a matcha latte made with oat milk—yum! And for fun? She’s a big fan of sci-fi books and movies.
Susan Swendsen Harris, MSSW, LCSW, VSW has over 11 years in social work, 6 years as a veterinary social worker, and nearly three decades of experience in animal rescue. Susan brings a trauma-informed, deeply compassionate perspective to the Full Circle Lab team. She holds specialized certifications in trauma intervention and emotional support for veterinary professionals and is proud to have co-presented trauma-informed trainings at a national level. Inspired from a young age by the connection between people and animals (starting with her pony at age 3!), Susan finds purpose in walking alongside the incredibly kind and talented individuals in vet med. Her coaching style is compassionate, listening, and kind. She starts her day with a glass of mango juice and, for fun, she loves working with wood—from restoring furniture to building outdoor cat shelters.
