October: Safe Work Month – working together to protect workers’ mental health

 

Throughout October we will be sharing with you information from Safe Work Australia’s National Safe Work Month campaign.  

Week 1 – Working together to manage risks at work  

Week 2 – Working together to protect workers’ mental health  

Week 3 – Working together to support all workers  

Week 4 – Working together to create a safe and healthy workplace  

 

Week 2 – working together to protect workers’ mental health 

Mental health is not simply the absence of mental ill-health.  

According to the World Health Organisation, “mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.¹    

Psychosocial hazards are hazards that can cause psychological (i.e., mental) and physical harm. Psychological harm may include anxiety or depression, while physical harm may involve musculoskeletal or fatigue related injuries. Common psychosocial hazards can include job demands, poor support, lack of role clarity, remote or isolated work, bullying and harassment. 

In 2021 the AVA commissioned workplace mental health experts, SuperFriend, to undertake research into the mental health and wellbeing of the veterinary workforce. The research showed that 66% of the 2500 participants who took part in the survey had experienced a mental health condition, with over 40% affected in the previous 12 months. More than 50% of respondents indicated their work had a negative impact on their mental health. This reinforces other scientific evidence that suggests that working in the veterinary industry may cause or exacerbate mental ill-health and suicide risk. 

Research from the emergency services sector found workplaces that provide higher levels of support and inclusiveness, have regular discussions about workplace experiences, and effectively manage emotional demands on staff have lower rates of psychological distress.² 

Separate research from the health sector showed that if staff have some control over their work, such as the ability to make decisions, then this mediates their wellbeing. Similarly, leadership and good co-worker relationships helps to support people in difficult jobs and bolster their wellbeing.³ 

People who achieve good well-being at work are likely to be more creative, more loyal, more productive, and provide better customer satisfaction than individuals with poor well-being at work.⁴ 

Safeguarding and improving the mental health of the veterinary team makes business sense. It is also morally the right thing to do and assists employers to meet their obligation to the physical and psychological health and safety of their employees under Australian occupational health and safety laws. 

 

THRIVE – a veterinary wellness initiative 

THRIVE is an industry-led veterinary wellness initiative that aims to support veterinarians and veterinary staff to lead satisfying, prosperous, and healthy careers. It is our aim to continue formulating the overarching industry frameworks and guidelines that will protect the wellbeing of all veterinary practitioners.   

All of our THRIVE programs are guided by our policy Safeguarding and improving the mental health of the veterinary team. This outlines the importance of taking action to moderate work demands linked to occupational stress, while implementing interventions and resources to improve wellbeing targeted at the level of individuals, groups, leadership and organisations.  

 

THRIVE Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework 

Our industry specific Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework has been informed and led by stakeholders of the veterinary profession and is for all members of the veterinary community. It aims to support individuals, workplaces, and organisations to implement mental health and wellbeing strategies that positively impact mental health outcomes for all veterinary team members.  

It highlights the importance of an integrated approach to wellness: Preventing harm from psychosocial hazards in the industry, Promoting strengths, capabilities and the rewards of work, and Protecting us when we experience stress and mental ill-health. 

The framework is applicable to everyone in the veterinary community, from students to people working in clinical practice, those in academia, industry, government, and any other related veterinary field. 

 

AVA Counselling Service 

The AVA Telephone Counselling Service is not an emergency or crisis line, but a first point of contact. They will discuss your concerns with you – physical and mental – and provide you with advice on what steps to take next. All calls are non-judgemental and completely confidential. 

The service is available to AVA members, the vet professionals that work for them (who may not be members) and family members. It is available all day every day on 1300 687 327. The service can also arrange a counsellor to attend veterinary workplaces to help support staff after a traumatic incident. 

 

Other support services: 

Lifeline 13 11 14 

If you need urgent help, you should call Lifeline immediately. Lifeline provide 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.  

Beyond Blue  1300 22 4636 

MensLine Australia  1300 78 99 78 

SANE Australia 1800 187 263 

 

¹ https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
² Beyond Blue Ltd. (2018). Answering the call national survey, National Mental Health and Wellbeing Study of Police and Emergency Services – Final report.
³ Maben J, Adams M, Peccei R, Murrells T, Robert G (2012) Poppets and parcels: the links between staff experience of work and acutely ill older peoples’ experience of hospital care, International Journal of Older People Nursing p83-94. www.nets.nihr.ac.uk/projects/hsdr/081819213
⁴ New Economics Foundation, 2018