Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Midweek mental health paws

Chillaxing with friends: it isn't just fun, its healthy.
It has been a tough week for the Australian veterinary profession with tragic news about the loss of two colleagues in two separate incidents. This information is really hard to process but it is a good reminder just how important support is and that there is no shame in reaching out for it. 

What is really upsetting is that last week's AVA conference had a strong emphasis on mental health and wellbeing. This is such a big issue for the profession, there are some excellent resources for veterinarians vet students, and no one is judged at all for using them.

For urgent help anyone can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours).
AVA members can call the AVA Telephone Counselling Service (24 hours) on 1800 337 068.

The AVA has a great resource page for veterinarians here. The UK's VetLife also offers support and has a great website here.

University's have student counselling services which are almost invariably free, and set up to take walk-in appointments for emergencies.

Please take care of yourselves and each other and don't feel bad about reaching out. More often than not the person you reach out to has been there - or somewhere similar - before, and may have the clarity of distance that being in the midst of a storm can rob one of.
Moisie plays with a ribbon. Does she need a reason?