Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2022):
Most of us, the veterinarians, get into this field for the love of animals. We do thoroughly enjoy what we do – helping the pets and their families. However, at times even when doing our best, it can get overwhelming to meet all the demands of work in timely manner. Veterinarians are not immune to daily stress and emotional roller coaster that comes with the patient care. Most of us may not know but veterinarians are 4 times more susceptible to suicide than the general public. According to another study one in a six veterinarian have considered suicide at one point of their life. In recent years, there have been lot of efforts done to improve the mental well being of veterinary team members.
According to AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association):
Wellbeing isn’t a single measure of health. It is composed of nine unique dimensions that touch upon every aspect of our life: occupational, intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional, physical, financial, creative and environmental. These dimensions work together, and collaboratively contribute to our overall wellbeing. By the same token, when one area is lacking the others will also be impacted.
Here are the nine dimensions of wellbeing:
- Occupational – Being engaged in work that gives you personal satisfaction, and aligns with your values, goals, and lifestyle
- Intellectual – Learning new things; Participating in activities that foster critical thinking and expand your worldviews
- Spiritual – Having a sense of inner harmony and balance
- Social – Surrounding yourself with a network of support built on mutual trust, respect, and compassion
- Emotional – Being able to identify and manage your full range of emotions, and seeking help when necessary
- Physical – Taking care of your body e.g., getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, etc.
- Financial – Being aware of your personal finances and adhering to a budget that enables you to meet your financial goals
- Creative – Participating in diverse cultural and artistic experiences
- Environmental – Taking an active role in preserving, protecting and improving the environment
AVMA provides a lot of resources for wellbeing of veterinary professionals at https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing which includes the Self-care for Veterinarians.
Not One More Vet (NOMV):
NOMV was started after suicide by a renowned behavior veterinarian Dr Sophia Yin. NOMV addresses wellbeing in veterinary medicine through multiple innovative and inclusive pathways including: evidence-based peer support; comprehensive programs providing leadership focused on wellness; grant programs providing financial support for individuals and clinics experiencing crisis; mentorship and best practices programs addressing mental health from educational institutions to the workplace; raising awareness of the status of mental health in the profession; and research to further the advancement of wellness, mental health, and the reduction of suicide in veterinary professionals. If you or someone you know would benefit from the resources we provide, please visit nomv.org
Mindfulness in Veterinary Medicine:
In recent years, there has been lot of buzz about mindfulness. In simple terms mindfulness can be summed as non-judgmental awareness. However achieving this feast needs practice and patience. There are lot of techniques to be mindful during busy days of veterinary practice. Some involve breathing techniques while other are dependent on body scan. Being aware of out thoughts and emotions is also part of mindfulness which helps to better manage our emotions on daily basis. There are some apps like Headspace etc that provide guided medication. Following are some resources for mindfulness:
https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/breathing-exercise-stress/
https://harbor.vet/well-being/practice-staying-mindful-and-centered/
For Pet Owners:
I want to thank our pet owners and we value the trust you put in us for veterinary medical care of your pets. We rely completely on your understanding and compassion. While our patients are cats and dogs, but the veterinary team members are human beings who are trying their best. We can’t always accurately predict outcome of a situation/disease or possible wait time to see the doctor. There can be emergency or injured/suffering pets that need immediate help, pushing back treating a stable/non-life-threatening issue. Veterinarians in general work long hours and try to accommodate as many patients in the day. As human beings, we have empathy and compassion for all our patients and their human families.
It is commonly assumed that veterinarians get to play with puppies and kittens mostly and are in the field for money only. However, those in the field can testify that working in veterinary medicine can get stressed very easily. We mostly stay at work after closing hours to make sure all the pets are taken care of and medical records are proper. Veterinary team members regularly miss holidays, family functions, and beautiful days to go on hikes in order to try and help the cats and dogs in need. Veterinarians and team members are not immune to rude behavior/negative comments (especially faced by the receptionists).
At Harmony Pet Clinic, our goal is to make the veterinary field a little easier on our hearts and souls, so we can continue to do what we love – helping animals. We rely on our pet owners to help with this: your patience, trust, sensitivity, and kindness fuel our ability to go to work each day. Please continue to have patience and understanding – it can literally mean life or death for the people who make up veterinary medicine. Thank you for your kindness. Here are some resources for the pet parents to consider.
Further Readings:
https://www.dvm360.com/view/may-is-mental-health-month-let-the-healing-begin
https://www.mixlab.com/blog/veterinarian-mental-health-awareness-and-support
