Breaking the barriers of Vet mental health
THROUGH Australian bushfires, floods, mouse plagues, and the increase of pet ownership throughout the pandemic, vets have experienced exacerbated pressures.
Due to immense difficulties in the veterinary healthcare system, vets are experiencing staff shortages and an increase in negative mental health impacts.
Coinciding with World Vet Day in late April was Flynn’s Walk on the first Sunday in May, a charitable event aiming to spread mental health awareness in the veterinary industry.
The walk acknowledges and commemorates the loss of Dr Flynn Hargreaves who sadly took his own life.
Being in the industry for more than three decades, Dr Andrew Speer understands that negative veterinary mental health was an issue long before the pandemic.
The shortage of rural vets means those already working need to do overtime, which further adds stressors.
“Euthanasia (of animals) is quite demoralising, especially when you have to do it almost every day – it gets deflating.
“People often blame you, but at times, we can’t do anything,” Dr Speer said, adding that patients do not understand the struggles of being in a critical environment, and often take their worries out on vets.
Despite the hardships of working in a clinical setting, Dr Speer enjoys his occupation as he contributes to the health of animals.
“I strive to do the best I can, but you often get blamed when you can’t,” he continued, saying that he has struggled with mental illhealth in the past and has seen psychologists.
With more awareness in the industry, there is more mental health education available, with a mental health officer in each clinic.
“There is a lot of online training, and continual education teaching vets how to handle their stresses and it really is helping, especially the younger cohort,” Dr Speer said.
Comparing his generation to the recent graduates, he believes there is more of a “work/life balance” in the younger generation.
“Out of the 58 people in my graduating year, four people committed suicide,” he said, acknowledging the resilience needed to be a vet.
“We’re people too,” he shared, and said vets need to remind themselves that animals are the reason they stay in the environment.
“We have things that we work on to make it better, we need to regenerate and restart to put ourselves in a positive frame of mind again,” he explained.
Support services are available:
z Australian Veterinary Association provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former veterinarians 1300 687 327.
z 0303 040 2551 – Vetlife Helpline
z If this story raises concerns and you need someone to talk to, contact
Lifeline on 131114.