Mental health and veterinary nursing
Rory O'Connor
Speaking at this year's BVNA Congress, Rory O'Connor of the Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme examined the mental health and addiction issues facing veterinary nurses today.
Previously intended for veterinary surgeons, the support programme is now also available to veterinary nurses, according to its national co-ordinator, Rory.
Opening his discussion to a packed lecture room, Rory said that between 8 and 10 per cent of the people who come to him through the programme are veterinary nurses.
Discussing one of the problems of addressing mental health issues in the veterinary profession, he added: "We are deliverers of care and deliverers of services. I think that there's a part of us that thinks there shouldn't be anything wrong with ourselves."
The support programme, which is funded by the Veterinary Benevolent Fund, follows a structure of advice, intervention, assessment, treatment pathway, monitoring and support, followed by case management. Part of the programme also involves educating people and raising awareness of mental health issues within practice.
A recent development, he says, is providing support to practices following a member of staff committing suicide - offering help to any member of the practice who requires it.
During the talk, Rory addressed five key addictions - alcohol, drugs, food, sex and money - focusing largely upon the issue of accessibility. In cases of drug addiction, for example, he says that predominantly, health professionals who come to him through the programme have become addicted to substances that are readily available to them through their profession.
Another issue discussed was Facebook and the potential for veterinary nurses to come under fire professionally for things that they have posted on the social media website, sometimes leading to mental health issues such as anxiety.
According to Rory, anxiety is the most common mental health issue, with his cases including those who fear making mistakes in practice and subsequently receiving complaints or facing the RCVS Disciplinary Committee.
One issue raised during the lecture was that of hospitalisation due to depression, which Rory suggested could sometimes be damaging if unnecessary, due to the impacts on fitness to practice, indemnity insurance etc.
Concluding, Rory advised those in veterinary practice to consider the relationships they have with any colleagues who may be struggling, and if that relationship is strong enough, it may be possible to help by offering contact details for the support service.
To reach the programme's helpline, vets, vet students, nurses and their colleagues and family can call 07659 811118, or visit the website for further information.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
