Equine vets, we have good days at work and we have bad days. Most days will be normal when things go to plan and challenges go well. Then there are the brilliant days, those days when we get a tricky mare in foal or one of our problem cases completes a major competition. They reinforce the reasons we do this job.
But life isn't perfect. We're not perfect. There is no perfect horse, no perfect client, no perfect visit. Things don't always go how we want them to. Our work can be stressful, physical and dangerous. Being out on the road can sometimes feel isolating, and crucial decision making about veterinary care is on our shoulders.
It's not all plain sailing. But the high pressure, high stress situations we deal with, be they exciting or sad, are not everyday occurrences. They're unusual. Maintaining a sense of perspective is vital to make sure we can continue to do the job we love.
Small things help. While you're out and about driving to calls, listen to a podcast, listen to the radio, call a friend or colleague. Talk about work or talk about something completely different. Make time to have lunch between calls, even if it's just 10 minutes. Eating and drinking is a necessity.
Think about situations that didn't go as you hoped, about how the outcome could be different next time. But calm down first. Get some distance before you take it apart. This can take some time.
After work, take time to unwind by going for a bike ride or walk the dog. Gain some perspective. The work we do is highly rewarding, but it can be tough. Learn from the bad days and move on. Remember, the good days far outweigh the bad ones.
And finally, don't lose sight of the fact that our best is good enough. We are good enough.
There are resources available for you to make use of right now. The Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) aims to improve the mental health and well-being of those in the veterinary team and is funded and run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Our activities include training in mental health and resilience, regular webinars on topics relating to mental health and well-being, online reflection time sessions where members of the veterinary community can discuss the emotional aspects of their jobs.
VetLife provides a 24/7 helpline offering professional mental health support. Call 0303 040 2551 or visit www.vetlife.org.uk.
BEVA supports the work of MMI and VetLife, encouraging vets to talk about mental health.
