R U OK? Day: The importance of asking for and offering help in the veterinary profession

R U OK? Day is an important national event dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and fostering open conversations. It’s a day where we are encouraged to check in on each other, offer support, and create a culture of empathy and understanding. This is especially crucial in the veterinary profession, where the unique challenges of emotional burnout, compassion fatigue, and the pressures of delivering high-quality care can take a toll on mental wellbeing.

Veterinarian and positive psychology coach, Dr Liv Oginska, highlights the emotional complexities surrounding the act of asking for help. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a new graduate, reaching out when you need support can feel overwhelming. In her R U OK? Day webinar, Liv shared her personal experience as a new graduate facing a highly stressful and embarrassing situation during a surgery. Feeling panicked and ashamed, she hesitated to ask for help, even though it was what she needed most at that moment.

Liv’s story resonates deeply because it reflects a broader issue many face in the veterinary field. Asking for help often feels emotionally charged, as our brains interpret it as a sign of weakness or inadequacy. When we imagine someone needing help, we tend to visualise them as being vulnerable, unprepared, or not skilled enough. This narrative is shaped by societal expectations and our upbringing, where being perfect or capable is emphasised, and seeking help is sometimes seen as a lack of competence. This mindset is particularly prevalent in veterinary medicine, where professionals are trained to have all the answers and solve problems independently.

One of the key barriers to asking for help is the lack of psychological safety. The amygdala, the emotional part of the brain, can trigger a flight, fight, or freeze response in stressful situations, causing us to feel threatened and withdraw rather than seek support. Without psychological safety, we protect ourselves by not speaking up or asking for help, which can lead to more mistakes and decreased patient safety.

So, how can we overcome this emotional barrier and create a culture where asking for help is not only acceptable but encouraged? According to Liv, it starts with recognising that everyone, even specialists and leaders, sometimes need help. Acknowledging that we are not alone in feeling overwhelmed can be a powerful step in adjusting the narrative we tell ourselves. Being a “role model of imperfection” – someone who is not afraid to admit their mistakes and ask for help – can create a culture of psychological safety and open dialogue within teams.

Equally important is how we offer help to others. There’s a common misconception that helping someone means immediately offering solutions. However, when someone is in a heightened emotional state, offering too many solutions can be overwhelming and counterproductive. True empathy involves creating a space where the person feels safe, supported, and heard. It’s about acknowledging their feelings and offering to support them in the way they need, whether that’s through listening, strategising, or providing assistance.

Ultimately, asking for and offering help are two sides of the same coin. By creating environments where it’s safe to seek and offer support, we not only protect ourselves but also enhance the wellbeing of our teams and the quality of care we provide to our patients. Compassion and empathy, when paired with psychological safety, can energise us and foster thriving careers in veterinary medicine.

As we reflect on R U OK? Day, let’s remember that vulnerability and seeking help are not signs of weakness, but essential aspects of our humanity. Through empathy and understanding, we can build stronger, more resilient teams and create a future where asking for help is always okay.

The webinar recording is available on-demand and is free for all AVA members, veterinary nurses and associates.

THRIVE is an industry-led veterinary wellness initiative that aims to support veterinarians and veterinary staff to lead satisfying, prosperous, and healthy careers: Ava.com.au/Thrive 

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