Coming hot on the heels of the 39th annual World Veterinary Congress recently in Cape Town, where the mental wellness of vets was high on the agenda, experts have called on vets to take it easy on themselves and seek for help when they need to.
Some of the challenges faced by vets in South Africa include a demanding profession and a complex emotional landscape pushing many vets to the brink. This raised concerns about burnout, compassion fatigue, and the overall well-being of the profession.
The importance of veterinary care lies in its crucial role in safeguarding animal health, welfare, and the prevention and treatment of diseases, ultimately contributing to public health, environmental protection, and the well-being of both animals and humans.
It takes an emotional toll
Quixi Sonntag, a lecturer at the University of Pretoria’s department of production animal studies, highlighted the type of environments veterinarians are exposed to on a daily basis.
“Vets need specialised knowledge and skills that require mental effort in their daily work. In addition, the job is physically demanding and sometimes even dangerous when aggressive animals are handled.” she said.
Sonntag explained that the long hours, the emotional toll of treating patients, and the administrative burdens all contribute to a significant mental load. “This relentless pressure can lead to burnout, a state of emotional exhaustion that can impact vets’ ability to care for animals effectively,” she said.
According to Sonntag, the veterinary profession can be a breeding ground for silence when it comes to mental health. “Vets typically do not share when they are struggling mentally. Stigma plays a role here, as does fierce independence [saying] ‘I can sort this out myself, I do not need any help’,” she said.
Sonntag proposes a multi-faceted approach, open communication with clients about the challenges vets face, dismantling the stigma around mental health within the profession, and ensuring vets are aware of available support services.
Meanwhile, technical veterinarian Rudél Zowitsky said the morale in many of the vets is extremely low and as such impacts the work they are doing.
“The anger and frustration accompanying the moral distress of veterinarians is seen throughout all the industries vets are involved in,” she said.
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A culture of silence
This culture of stoicism prevents vets from seeking the support they need, potentially leading to more serious mental health issues.
While the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) offers a suicide prevention helpline, Zowitsky acknowledges that “many vets might not even be aware of this service”.
Zowitsky said the mental health crisis is not just a personal struggle for vets, it is impacting the profession as a whole. “These issues affect vets all over the world, the shortage as well as the mental health challenges.
“Unfortunately, because of economics and politics, many vets are leaving South Africa but they are still faced with the pressures of working as vets, even where the grass is greener.”
She emphasised the need for public awareness, “The public is still not fully, if at all, aware of the mental health issues within veterinary science.”
Zowitsky suggests educating the public about the emotional and financial realities of veterinary care as a way to foster empathy and understanding.
Acknowledging the mental health struggles of South Africa’s veterinarians, fostering open communication, and creating a supportive environment, could play a crucial role in helping to ensure the well-being of both the animals and the professionals who tirelessly care for them, she concluded.
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