As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought it would be appropriate to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in veterinary medicine.
Veterinarians are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
The causes of this staggering statistic are up for debate – some blame compassion fatigue, others verbal abuse from angry clients, some blame the emotional toll of euthanasia, but many argue it’s due to the high student loan to salary ratio in veterinary medicine and the fact that veterinarians are less respected than human physicians.
In my opinion, it’s probably a combination of these factors. Whatever the cause, it’s important that people working in veterinary medicine are aware of the risks and make an effort to protect their own mental health. For this reason, I make an extra effort to protect my own health and that of my staff. From wellness clubs to staff training, parties and trips, we believe it’s important to play hard as we work hard when it comes to mental health.
Over Memorial Day weekend, our Wellness Club had a picnic at Hidden Valley Park. The weather was perfect for a picnic lunch while participants discussed what they learned from the video series on controlling negative thoughts. After the picnic, the good-natured group picked up trash around the pond for the safety of local wildlife and the betterment of the community. Definitely the best moment was being reunited with King Louie (the duck we rehabilitated and released); he was happy to see everyone. Of course, as animal lovers, feeding the ducks and turtles was the highlight of the afternoon.
Next month’s activity is a group trip to see Inside Out 2. What could be more fitting than a movie that talks about controlling your emotions?
In addition to our wellness club, training is also an important part of our company culture. Karing for Kreatures Veterinary Hospital is part of Veterinary Growth Partners “VGP.” This amazing organization provides support services in all aspects of veterinary medicine, including training in emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and suicide prevention. Each year, we send different staff members to training across the country. In addition to the VGP training, this year we attended the Disney Institute training to learn how to better engage with our staff.
Parties are another activity we cherish at Karing for Kreatures. From our annual Christmas party to poolside “murder mystery” parties, we enjoy this playtime to relax. With the return of the beautiful weather, this weekend we will be hosting a BBQ to celebrate winning “Kings County Best Veterinary Hospital 2023.” We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our community for voting and supporting us.
Living in a military community, I’ve had the opportunity to learn about mandatory fun – planned playtime away from the office for staff to bond with each other. Perhaps one of the most fun things we do is our occasional staff trip. In September, we’ll be returning to Zoo to You – this amazing animal sanctuary nestled in the hills above Paso Robles. Longtime staff are looking forward to their second trip, and new recruits look forward to this amazing animal adventure.
In addition to self-care, we also believe in giving back to society. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of veterinary medicine is helping the helpless. My staff and I find great satisfaction in caring for the orphaned and injured wild animals that are brought to us as a drop-off location for Critter Creek Wildlife Rescue. In the past year, we have rehabilitated and released opossums, songbirds, owls, hawks, crows, ravens, and even mice. Currently, our staff volunteers to care for two orphaned baby raccoons, three orphaned pigeons, and one baby raven. There is a certain satisfaction in caring for these special animals and seeing them released back into the wild.
As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, let us all remember to take care of ourselves, each other, and our beautiful community.
Dr. Kaytlen Lawton Betchel grew up in Lemoore and is a graduate of West Hills College and Fresno Pacific University. She earned her doctorate from Midwestern University in Arizona. She practices at Karing for Kreatures Veterinary Hospital in Lemoore.
