Wellbeing Initiative

Be Well is The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s comprehensive and integrated health and well-being initiative for students, staff and faculty. In alignment with our Be The Model® strategic plan, and in partnership with Ohio State’s Buckeye Wellness team, the program incorporates evidence-based approaches, outcome assessments, and programming specific to academic and healthcare professionals and veterinary students.

two female veterinary students smiling and walking by mailboxes

Our Commitment to Well-being

Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is committed to promoting a culture of well-being and inclusivity through counseling, consultation, and education that supports our students in their pursuit of academic and personal development, empowering them to become successful members of the veterinary community and beyond.

  • Read our February 2022 Viewpoint in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association to learn how the college is changing our culture using Be Well, a comprehensive and integrated approach to promote health and well-being.
  • Check out how the college is using MINDSTRONG to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors of veterinary medicine students in a Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Special Report.

“Although physical ’wellness’ is a crucial component of the CVM’s new health and wellbeing initiative, ‘wellbeing’ is holistic and also includes emotional, social, spiritual, financial, intellectual, career and environmental wellbeing. Data shows that both the veterinary profession and our College of Veterinary Medicine has much work to do with regard to improving our wellbeing.”

- Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine

Dean Rustin Moore inside of the Veterinary Medicine Academic Building

Health and Well-being Programming

Throughout the year, Be Well offers programming addressing the nine Dimensions of Wellness, including:

  • Health Athlete Training, a program that highlights ways faculty, staff and students can refocus and reenergize their personal and professional life
  • MINDSTRONG, is an evidence-based cognitive-behavioral skills-building program to improve resiliency and self-protective factors for the overall well-being of students, staff and faculty
  • Students in years 1-3 are required to participate in Be Well $: Financial Day,  a bi-annual, college-wide financial summit exposing them to content experts in debt management, taxes, financial aid, cash flow and estate planning, and investing 
  • Seasonal programming meant to engage faculty, staff and students in well-being activities 

If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

  • OSU Police: 614-292-2121
  • Netcare Access: 614-276-2273
  • OSU Counseling and Consultation Afterhours: 614-292-5766, Option 2
  • Local Suicide Prevention: 614-221-5445
  • 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
    When you dial the national suicide prevention line, you are calling the crisis center closest to your location. After you call, you will hear a message saying you have reached the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You will hear hold music while your call is being routed. You will then be helped by a skilled, trained crisis worker who will carefully listen to your concerns and tell you about mental health services in your area. Your call is confidential and free.
  • You can also visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ to chat with a crisis worker or for additional resources.

The Office of Counseling and Consultation is available to all students for their counseling, consultation and crisis intervention needs. College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff, including residents and interns, should access counseling services through Ohio State's Employee Assistance Program.