Veterinarians raising awareness of mental health challenges faced in profession

The challenges of working as a veterinarian are being emphasized as part of a new awareness campaign launched by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA).

From Sept. 9 to 15, the CVMA will host its inaugural mental health awareness week, including a number of information sessions scheduled Tuesday to coincide with National Suicide Awareness Day.

One in five Canadian veterinarians and technologists have had thoughts of suicide, depression and burnout, and many of those are unlikely to discuss these feelings with family or friends, according to the CVMA.

"Of course, it's not just suicide. It's also depression, compassion fatigue, mental anguish. It might be addictions as well," said Dr. Dirk Dekens, a Calgary-based veterinarian. "I mean, we're human too. We work long days."

Dekens said he has watched many colleagues struggle with putting animals down, and said it can be difficult when owners aren't able to afford care.

"When they're there with the clients and the house calls and they're in the home with them, they're kind of sharing their loss and the grief they're going through," he said. "That takes a toll on us as well."

Veterinarians have a higher suicide rate than the general population, and a 2012 CVMA survey found that 19 per cent of respondents had seriously thought about suicide, while 9 per cent had attempted it.

Dr. Jim Fairles with the CVMA said making life and death decisions on a frequent basis can often lead to compassion fatigue.

"The more we can do, the more people, clients, veterinarians and the general public become aware of what's happening," Fairles said. "Sometimes, we're our own worst enemy. We get so busy that we don't take time for ourselves."