World Mental Health Day 2024: How VetSkill supports mental health at work
World Mental Health Day 2024: Mental health at work
10th October marks World Mental Health Day, and this year’s theme addresses mental health in the workplace. As an awarding organisation and end-point assessment organisation that works to propel learners and apprentices into various professions, it is vital that we offer the right resources to ensure those in the industries working with VetSkill benefit from their workplace experiences. Not only is this important for the wellbeing of the individual, but also their patients and clients.
Mental health in the veterinary community
While an extremely rewarding career, it is common for veterinarians and veterinary nurses to struggle with their mental health due to the emotional nature of their job. Many individuals in the industry experience feelings of stress and pressure, sometimes in relation to the expectations of clients or colleagues and/or incivility, and this can in turn negatively impact health, wellbeing, performance and workplace relationships. In 2010, it was reported that veterinary surgeons are three to four times more likely than the general population to die by suicide. It was noted that veterinary nurses may be at risk as well. While the research is still limited for veterinary nursing, VetSkill recognises the importance of raising awareness of mental health at work for the whole veterinary community.
How VetSkill supports mental health at work
At VetSkill, we strive to be contemporary and recognise the challenges that those in our associated industries face today. As an awarding organisation and end-point assessment organisation, we are conscious that we play an instrumental role in the development and maintenance of a healthy, supportive community.
We are proud to be the first awarding organisation to introduce wellbeing and bereavement-related tasks into our bank of veterinary nursing Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The goal of these tasks is to not only prepare learners to support clients through challenging periods, but also colleagues as part of their RCVS Day One Skills. Working together as a team is vital in modern veterinary practice, so promoting healthy relationships between colleagues is key. Our bank of wellbeing OSCEs touches on mental health, client and patient welfare, colleague support, and bereavement, and highlights the communication and signposting processes that should take place within these contexts.
Workplace civility plays an important role in supporting mental health at work. Download our free Workplace Civility poster for display in your VetSkill-branded practice here.
Additionally, VetSkill believes that wellbeing support for those within our associated communities should be a priority right from the start. Supporting learner wellbeing, particularly around the time of assessment when stress and anxiety levels are increased, is of paramount importance to us. Working with our highly empathetic assessor teams, we strive to present a calm and relaxed assessment environment, enabling candidates to reach their full potential.
We recently introduced several initiatives to support learner wellbeing on exam day, including our wellbeing resources, which give candidates the opportunity to take their mind off their OSCE or practical examination for a few minutes and focus on activities like breathing and grounding techniques, spot the difference games, and short poems to read. These are made available in OSCE rest stations and briefing and debriefing areas. Learners also receive our ‘Supporting your wellbeing during assessments’ infographic prior to OSCEs and practical assessments, which emphasises the importance of good nutrition, sleep hygiene and forward planning ahead of assessment.
Resources
The following services can provide tailored, professional help if and when it is needed:
Explore our Health & Wellbeing Hub to discover further useful VetSkill and specific industry resources.
Join us at BVNA Congress on Friday 11th to Sunday 13th October, where we’ll be shining a spotlight on our wellbeing and bereavement OSCEs alongside our wellbeing resources at our Wellbeing Stand in D18.