Mental illness, it doesn't discriminate

Our profession is sadly over represented in mental health statistics, UK Veterinarians have been found to be four times more likely to die of suicide than the general population, that's just our veterinarians; what about our nurses? As a group, we tend to be empathetic by nature, extremely dedicated and are often exposed to stressful situations and the potential for compassion fatigue. The struggle to maintain healthy work–life balance remains a real problem. Many of us spend our days trying to improve lives, even save lives; but what are we doing to help ourselves?

The challenging thing about mental illness is, it doesn't discriminate. Even those who appear to be extremely high functioning could be suffering in silence.

As a new graduate, it appeared to others that I was coping well. On the surface, I was a duck gliding across the pond, problems would slide off me like water off the duck's back. Around me the phones rang, patients were rushed around, other veterinary nurses seemed to glide effortlessly from one task to another, yet there I was; drowning under a wave of anxiety.