Those within the veterinary community are no strangers to stress. Whether you’re a doctor, support staff member, or pet parent, the realities of taking on a caregiving role can oftentimes mean forgetting oneself in the process.
While mental health has become a prominent topic these days and there is no shortage of conversation around it, let’s take a moment to define what it is, why you should prioritize yours, and the ways you can put that into practice in your daily life.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mental health includes our emotional, physical, and social wellbeing. It affects our emotional, psychological, and social well-being, including how we think, feel, and act. More specifically, it impacts our internal dialogue, self-esteem, physical health, ability to cope with stress, ability to focus, and the relationships we have with others, as well as with ourselves.
While we typically look up to people that selflessly put the needs of others first, it’s important to note that putting our own mental health and wellbeing second to others can cause enormous stress leading to burnout, which ultimately hinders our ability to do what we set out to do, i.e. help others.
Below are steps we can all take to put our mental health first and make space for others to do the same.
If you are a veterinary professional seeking mental health support for yourself or a peer in need, visit NOMV, a public charity that is dedicated to supporting the mental wellness of veterinary professionals through education, resources, NOMV forums, and more.
“About Mental Health.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm.
“Downloadable Resources.” Not One More Vet, 22 Mar. 2024, www.nomv.org/downloadable-resources/.
“Home.” Not One More Vet, 26 Oct. 2023, www.nomv.org/.