Tune in to hear Danny Chambers in conversation with Olivia Cormier, an equine vet who after completing a MSc in psychology has diversified into mental health research. We discuss what we know so far about drinking in the veterinary profession, how drinking to excess is often normalised and drinking to cope encouraged: having negative implications on our mental health. We also discuss some of the barriers to help-seeking faced by those in veterinary practice who wish to reduce their alcohol consumption.

When was the last time you had an open conversation with your colleagues about concerns over drinking consumption and motives? Is it a taboo topic? A recent study published in the Veterinary Record by Olivia and Jennifer Seddon, a senior psychology lecturer at Oxford Brookes University demonstrated the significant effects alcohol can have on mental health, highlighting the importance of better understanding this subject. Barriers to help-seeking were reported to be stigma towards the self and fear of career implications. How can we support professional individuals to get the support they need?

Following funding from the RCVS MMI impact grant a second study to better understand mental health, alcohol behaviours and barriers to help seeking in veterinary professions (including veterinary nurses, veterinarians and veterinary receptionists) is underway! By better understanding these factors we can start intervention development to enable help-seeking and reduce the stigma around problems with drinking within the veterinary community.

If you feel you have been affected by this podcast, or that you are experiencing problems with your alcohol consumption then please contact Vetlife Helpline,

available 24/7 on 0303 040 2551/ www.vetlife.org.uk

To view the recent study on Alcohol-related Stigma in the UK Veterinary Profession, follow this link:

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/vetr.4532

To learn more about the MMI impact grant, follow-on study please see the following link (recruitment for participation is due to start in April 2025):

https://www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brookes/news/news-from-2025/01/oxford-brookes-research-team-awarded-grant-to-stud