Further research it to be carried out on mental health in veterinary professions in 2021, with a particular focus on suicide rates, as it has “not been subject to substantive research”.
However, CEO and registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) Niamh Muldoon has told AgriLand that the council’s next task is to carry out such research, and it will be partnering with the National Suicide Research Foundation and the National Office for Suicide Prevention to do so early in the new year.
Its author, Dr. Margaret O’Rourke, is a clinical psychologist and director of behavioural science at the School of Medicine in University College Cork.
The Safevet Smart handbook is described by the VCI as an “evidence-based practical guide to managing stress and building resilience” for members of the veterinary professions.
“A lot of health professions, it is said, are deemed to be high-risk groups – from dentists to doctors and to vets,” Muldoon tells AgriLand.
“They are extremely intelligent and gifted individuals, but they work very, very hard in tough settings.
Anecdotally, it is said that suicide rates are high amongst the veterinary professions.
“The council aims to ensure that every registrant has access to supports.”
Survey to be issued
Muldoon explains that the VCI will issue a survey designed by the National Suicide Research Foundation to everybody registered with the council.
“My hope is that both vets and veterinary nurses will engage with the survey and that we will get some good response rates, to give us hard data on which to base our next plan of action…only when we have that information do we know how best to go about helping and trying to support people,” she continues.
“The council is also very much of the opinion that any professional needs support the whole way through their career, no matter what stage.
Whether you are one week in practice or 40 years in practice, the challenges are always going to be present for any veterinary nurse or practitioner.
“We know that veterinary nurses and practitioners are very sturdy and very resilient people, they come through very tough courses to qualify.
“It’s about raising awareness and building resilience; making sure that people care for themselves first and foremost and, as a result, are fit and well to take care of animals.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Impact of Covid-19
Muldoon says that since the pandemic, vets and veterinary nurses around the country “stepped up and carried out their role despite the challenges faced”.
“The level of service was not diminished, they adapted,” Muldoon says.
The cycle of food production was more essential than ever and it couldn’t continue without the involvement of all the different aspects, one of them being the role vets play.
“From the council’s point of view, we were there to really offer leadership and guidance to the professions, along with confidence in them that they can do it.”