An alarming number of large-animal veterinarians are suffering stress-related mental illness, said Athena Diesch-Chham, a veterinary social worker in the Veterinary Medical Center, College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
She said when she speaks to gatherings of veterinarians, they are shocked to learn the results from surveys about mental illness.
COVID-19 has increased the stress, she said.
The good news is that more people are now openly talking about their mental health and seeking help, she said.
One stress is simply the heavy workload and social isolation in rural communities, she said.
Another is “moral stress” – situations where veterinarians are uncomfortable with the way cattle and pigs are being managed.
“You can’t pull anybody else out of the stream if you’re in it too,” she said.
“We need to get veterinarians to a better place. Pull yourself out of the stream so you can help all of us on the banks pull people out who need help.”