Original Message:
Sent: 05-05-2026 07:39 AM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month - and this conversation must include both ends of the leash.
Mental health does not exist in isolation. For millions of people, emotional well-being is deeply connected to the presence of a pet-offering routine, purpose, stability, and unconditional support. At the same time, pets depend entirely on their humans for care, safety, and stability. When one struggles, both are affected.
From a One Health perspective, this is not symbolic-it is structural.
Across the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), we see how mental health challenges can directly impact both human and pet well-being:
Economic Stability: Financial stress can delay or prevent access to both mental health care and veterinary care
Healthcare Access & Quality: Gaps in services often fail to account for the human-animal bond
Housing & Stability: Pet restrictions can force impossible decisions during times of crisis
Social & Community Context: Isolation affects both people and their pets-sometimes in parallel
And the inverse is also true:
Pets can reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness
They support routine and emotional regulation
They provide a sense of connection that is often protective during times of crisis
But we also need to be honest about the other side:
Veterinary professionals, animal welfare staff, and even pet owners themselves experience high rates of compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral distress. Caring deeply-for both people and animals-comes with real emotional cost.
So what does a One Health response look like?
It means building systems that recognize:
Supporting a person's mental health includes supporting their ability to care for their pet
Access to veterinary care is a mental health issue
Pet-inclusive policies in housing, healthcare, and crisis response are not optional-they are essential
The well-being of those working in animal care must be prioritized, not overlooked
If we want healthier communities, we must design systems that care for the whole family-person, pet, and environment-together.
If you or someone you know is struggling:
Mental health is One Health.
And when we support one, we must support both.
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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
Original Message:
Sent: 05-01-2026 07:57 AM
From: T' Fisher
Subject: May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is an essential part of overall health-for people, families, and communities. From a One Health perspective, mental well-being is interconnected with physical health, social environments, and even our relationships with animals. Yet stigma, misinformation, and unequal access to care continue to prevent many from getting the support they need.
This month is an opportunity to focus on education, awareness, and action.
Why it matters
Mental health conditions such as Depression and Anxiety disorders are common and treatable, but many individuals delay or avoid care due to stigma or lack of reliable information. Mental health also affects workplace productivity, family stability, community safety, and physical health outcomes.
From a One Health lens:
Human mental health can be influenced by environmental stressors, disasters, and social inequities
Animal companionship can support emotional well-being and reduce stress
Veterinary and healthcare professionals themselves face elevated mental health risks, highlighting the need for systemic support across professions
Reducing stigma starts with education
Accurate, accessible information helps replace myths with facts and encourages informed decision-making. These evidence-based resources are a good place to start:
What you can do
Promote mental health literacy in our workplaces and communities
Encourage help-seeking behaviors and normalize conversations about mental health
Support interdisciplinary collaboration across human health, animal health, and social services
Advocate for equitable access to mental health care and resources
Mental Health Awareness Month is not just about recognition-it's about building systems and communities where mental health is understood, supported, and prioritized without bias.
Call to Action:
Take a moment this month to learn, share a resource, or start a conversation. Whether you are a clinician, veterinarian, social worker, public health professional, or community member, you play a role in advancing mental well-being as part of One Health.
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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Center for Pet Family Well-Being
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