Mental health and wellbeing in veterinary medicine

Studies have confirmed a link between the veterinary profession and various forms of stress and mental illness.  In a recent study to measure the prevalence of severe mental distress and determine the level of wellbeing within the profession, the authors sent out a survey created by experts in Psychological Distress via email.  They then reviewed 3,540 responses from veterinary professionals working in the US.

The results showed that two thirds of participants reported having feelings of depression, compassion fatigue, burnout and anxiety within the last year. Veterinarians under 45 years of age were the most affected by psychological distress and showed lower well-being index scores.

Among the factors contributing to serious psychological distress and poor well-being scores were long hours and/or working evenings, working as a relief veterinarian, having a low income and spending more than one hour per day on social media. Higher levels of well-being, not related to work, were associated with travelling, spending time with family and friends, reading for pleasure, exercising and being in a relationship.

Only 41% of the participating veterinarians said that they would recommend the profession to a friend or family member, which is concerning.  Of equal concern was the fact that only half of those reporting serious psychological distress were receiving treatment for it.  However, the percentage of veterinarians who reported attempting was considerably lower than in the general US population as a whole.

This study highlights the need to increase mental health and well-being in the veterinary profession and challenges employers to work with their teams to bring this about.

O. Volk, John et al. Executive summary of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study. JAVMA, Vol 252, No. 10, May 15, 2018.