Merck Animal Health is committed to the well-being of our communities, our employees, and our customers. Jane Dukes, Senior Manager with the Merck Animal Health Veterinary Consumer Affairs Team, once again brings us a valuable discussion, this time focusing on mental health.  Jane is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Strand, founding director of veterinary social work at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Judson Vasconcelos, head of the Merck Animal Health Veterinary & Consumer Affairs team. Dr. Strand shows us how we can create a “culture of care” while also exploring practical tips each of us can use to ensure our mental well-being.

“The experience of stress and compassion fatigue that we know from the research that Merck has led is something that veterinarians and other veterinary professionals face.” - Dr. Elizabeth Strand

Merck Animal Health is currently conducting its third wellness study to evaluate the mental wellbeing of the veterinary profession. These studies have certainly highlighted an area of concern in veterinary mental health. Dr. Elizabeth shares that in her program “when an individual is struggling we never see that as only the individual’s responsibility.” She has observed veterinary professionals having difficulty practicing effective self care. “We have to actually be living in cultures of care where there are some norms….of what is acceptable to talk about, what is acceptable to do and how we look out for one another.” Dr. Strand recommends a discussion guide to improve conversation about wellbeing and providing access to resources so anyone can get help when they need it. She reiterates that “you are not alone, wherever you are in your experience...you are not alone.”

“It's not just an individual saying I need to do this for myself but it's being within an organization or community that says it's okay to take care of yourself.” - Jane Dukes

This Week’s Podcast:

• Meet Dr. Elizabeth Strand, founding director of veterinary social work at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
• Explore the results of the studies Merck has conducted regarding mental well being in the veterinary community
• Discover different resources available to support anyone who may be struggling.
• Learn about the Wellness Recovery Action Plans and how they can add support, accountability and promote discussion

Resources:

• Free Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) app
• Vetwellbeing.com
• Free Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
• Cognitive Behavioral Model and Tools
• Cardiac Coherence 
• Coherent Breathing Exercise