#121: Weaving a Safety Net: Using Herd Immunity for Veterinary Suicide Prevention. With Dr Kat Williams and Dr Alena Gadoury
This pivotal episode tackles the urgent issue of suicide prevention within the veterinary profession—a field grappling with alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges. We break down the profound psychological toll veterinarians face, from the emotional weight of euthanasia to challenging client interactions and workplace pressures. Inspired by groundbreaking programs like Mates in Construction, the discussion introduces Vet Herd, a community-driven initiative designed to build support networks that prioritize mental health and resilience.
Through deeply personal stories, our guests explore how organizational psychology and career pivots can transform well-being in the profession. They also share practical tools like LivingWorks' ASSIST program, equipping listeners with actionable strategies to support themselves and others. This episode isn’t just a deep dive into a pressing issue—it’s a call to action for the veterinary community to champion collective care and prioritize mental health.
It’s the topic in veterinary science that we wish we didn’t have to talk about. Every time we hear about another veterinary suicide, we feel sad, angry, and frustratingly powerless. But in this conversation with Dr. Kat Williams and Dr. Alena Gadoury, you’ll be inspired to take back the power to act against this curse of our profession.
Drs. Kat and Alena are the founders of VetHerd, an industry-based suicide prevention program for the veterinary profession. VetHerd utilizes the collective power of our community to create a robust safety net to combat the alarming rates of veterinary suicide through collaboration, awareness, and education.
You’ll learn about 'Mates in Construction,' the inspiration for the program, the parallels between ‘herd immunity’ and mental health, why it’s essential for all of us to learn how to talk openly and bravely about suicide, and how to get better at it.
Register for VetHerd’s upcoming two-day ASIST suicide prevention workshop, sponsored by Flynn’s Walk, here, or contact Kat and Alena at kat@vetherd.com.au or alena@vetherd.com.au to find out how you can get involved.
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Episode Topics and Timestamps
00:00 Introducing VetHerd: A Vision for Community and Protection
06:19 Drawing Inspiration from Mates in Construction
08:32 Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in the Veterinary Industry
11:51 Exploring the Complex Causes of High Suicide Rates Among Veterinarians
20:44 The ASIST Model: A Framework for Suicide Prevention
28:41 Exploring the Model for Safety Planning
29:22 Community Involvement and Support
29:40 Addressing Responsibility and Training Needs
30:32 Practical Training and Its Importance
32:08 Overcoming the Fear of Discussing Suicide
33:46 The Power of Asking, and Community Support
34:48 Training Opportunities and Industry Support
42:37 Personal Insights and Podcast Recommendations
45:14 Funding Challenges and Industry Contributions
50:36 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
- Outdated Data: Existing data on veterinary suicide rates is significantly outdated, making it difficult to accurately assess the current situation and develop effective interventions.
- Multifactorial Nature of Suicide: Suicide is a complex issue with numerous contributing factors, making it challenging to pinpoint specific causes and solutions. Veterinary-specific stressors, such as euthanasia, client abuse, and high workload, are compounded by individual factors like anxiety, depression, and access to lethal means.
- Low Help-Seeking Behaviours Among Veterinarians: Veterinarians are known to be reluctant to seek help, often due to stigma, shame, guilt, and the caregiver complex, which makes early intervention and prevention efforts difficult.
- Lack of Adequate Funding: The development and implementation of comprehensive suicide prevention programs, such as training and research, are hindered by insufficient funding. This makes it difficult to build capacity within the industry and create a sustainable support network.
- Need for Industry-Wide Support: Creating a successful and impactful suicide prevention program requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders in the veterinary industry, including employers, professional organisations, mental health professionals, and individual veterinarians.
- Effectiveness of ASIST: While traditional suicide prevention relies heavily on individuals seeking help, ASIST equips individuals within the profession to become proactive caregivers. They learn to recognise warning signs, engage in difficult conversations, and support colleagues experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- The training emphasises a person-centered and strengths-based approach, empowering individuals to create their own safety plans rather than prescribing solutions.
- ASIST utilises role-playing and practical exercises, allowing participants to develop and practice essential conversational skills in a safe environment.
- "Vet Herd" Immunity: This concept, inspired by the Mates in Construction program, advocates for building a network of trained caregivers within the veterinary community. The sources argue that a collective approach is vital because:
- Veterinarians are often low help-seekers, making proactive support crucial.
- Having readily accessible support within the workplace fosters a culture of openness and reduces stigma.
- The program emphasizes tailoring solutions to the specific needs and challenges of the veterinary industry, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
- Research: Updated data on suicide prevalence and contributing factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions and evaluating program effectiveness.
- Funding: Securing adequate funding is vital for delivering training, conducting research, and building sustainable support systems within the veterinary community.
- Employer Support: Employers play a critical role in fostering a supportive workplace culture, providing access to training, and allowing staff to attend workshops on paid time.
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