VN January 2023

Vetnews | January 2023 9 Mental Health Problems among the Veterinary Community It is an alarming surprise to many that veterinarians ranked number 4 in the 2021 statistics of a National Institute for Occupational Health & Safety report alongside medical doctors, dentists, and police officers in terms of having mental health risks when it comes to occupations with the highest rates of suicide. But mental health within this profession should never be overlooked. After all, veterinarians are not only responsible for the physical health and well-being of animals but also mental and emotional hardships they undergo. It is vital then that more mental health support is made available to those in this profession, ensuring they are well supported so they can better provide aid and comfort to their patients - because as we look after our own mental health first, it allows us to care for others with compassion. Mental health is an increasingly important talking point within the veterinary profession due to concerning statistics that demonstrate 9% of veterinarians currently experience current serious mental health distress, and 5% suffer from clinical depression. Interestingly, mental health distress has been found to be higher among younger veterinarians (8.7% for the up to 34 years group and 9.1% for the 35 to 44 years group) compared with older generations (2.8% for the 55 to 64 years age group and 0.7 % for the 65 years and over age group). Female vets also often report being under more strain than their male counterparts regarding workload. Tragically, though mental illness levels are high among this population, less than 20% receive any type of treatment or support, and only 32% believe that mental illness will be better supported by society, in general, going forward. More must be done to ensure veterinarians’mental health is looked after as much as possible. Veterinary professionals are exposed to mental health risks that many other people simply don’t have to contend with. Compassion fatigue Compassion fatigue is a mental health phenomenon that impacts those whose jobs require them to care for others. It occurs when the emotional demands of consistently caring for individuals or animals deplete someone’s mental and emotional reserves, leaving them feeling drained and cynical. Veterinarians are often affected by compassion fatigue because they spend day after day dealing with animal suffering yet feel powerless to relieve it all. Although it can be difficult to deal with, compassion fatigue is a real issue that needs to be taken seriously. Burnout Burnout is a mental health issue that can significantly impact its sufferers, although it can often go unrecognized. It is a state of mental and physical exhaustion caused by long-term overworking, stress, or a combination of the two. Common symptoms include feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, loss of motivation, decreased productivity, fatigue, and increased negative emotion. Burnout is experienced differently from person to person – some may literally feel “burned out”, while others may not recognize the signs until they become significantly more severe. Depression Depression can be a real problem for veterinarians due to the difficult decisions they may need to make regularly on an animal’s behalf and the financial pressures they often face. It’s also important to note that mental health issues can also stem from hard personal experiences related to animal patients. Symptoms of depression experienced by veterinarians vary depending on the individual. Still, common symptoms include a lack of motivation and enjoyment with everyday activities, difficulty going through the day, feelings of hopelessness and despair, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed. Anxiety Themental health of veterinarians is often taken for granted. It can lead to a build-up of anxiety, whichmanifests in various forms. Common symptoms of veterinarian anxiety include difficulty making decisions or speaking in public due to high self-doubt. In addition, many veterinarians feel an extreme sense of guilt or failure even when they have done their best to treat an animal, and it, unfortunately, doesn’t make it. Common symptoms of job-related anxiety among veterinarians include high alertness, increased irritability, physical exhaustion or fatigue, headaches or neck pain, difficulty concentrating, and poor sleep. Long working hours Veterinarians work long and often unpredictable hours that can take a mental toll. In addition to sleep deprivation, it is hard for them to find time to relax with such a demanding job. This round-the-clock dedication from the veterinarian often comes with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. Article >>> 10 Top 8mental health risks <<< 8 Special mental health risk factors for veterinarians