Veterinary practices invited to host a menopause awareness day

World Menopause Awareness Day falls on October 18, and this year the theme is lifestyle medicine. To help facilitate this important discussion, WellVet is encouraging individuals and practices to explore the free resources available on its website based around the six pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, sleep, exercise, avoiding toxins, stress management and connection. The resources are specifically designed to address the particular challenges facing veterinary team members. These resources can be a starting point for meaningful conversations and provide valuable information on how to support both colleagues and clients through perimenopause.

Suggested activities for veterinary practices on October 18 or throughout the month include:

• Coffee and chat session: dedicate time for a relaxed, informal discussion on the topic, allowing team members to share experiences and ask questions in a safe space
• Watch the WellVet animation: join the 10,000 people who have watched the three-minute animation summarising the impact of menopause on veterinary teams
• Discuss a lifestyle medicine pillar: utilise the free educational videos available on the WellVet website to learn about how the symptoms of perimenopause can be managed through lifestyle adjustments
• Share resources with the team: simply share the link to the WellVet menopause resources page, allowing individuals to explore the information at their own pace

“Creating an open and understanding environment around health topics like perimenopause is crucial for the well-being of our teams,” says Dr Liz Barton, director of WellVet. “While perimenopause is a natural life stage, symptoms and long-term effects of hormonal changes adversely affect a significant portion of the workforce, yet it is a topic that is rarely discussed. There is growing interest from veterinary teams about how to start this conversation and provide peer support. We hope that by highlighting World Menopause Awareness Day, we can encourage colleagues in the veterinary community to take a moment to explore these resources to help individuals and foster a more supportive culture.”

The animation and suite of resources can be accessed here.