The SafeVet Smart Handbook provides practical mental health advice and support for veterinary professionals.

The Veterinary Council of Ireland, the independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the practise of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing, has launched a new SAFEVET SMART Handbook. Its author, Dr Margaret O’Rourke is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of Behavioural Science at the School of Medicine, University College Cork. The SAFEVET SMART handbook is an evidence based practical guide to managing stress and building resilience for members of the veterinary professions.

Discussing her research findings, Dr Margaret O’Rourke, Author of the SafeVet Smart Handbook remarked:

“Mental health is an often overlooked area, and one which all veterinary professionals should be conscious of on an ongoing basis. Long hours, complex cases, heavy workloads, paperwork, demanding owners, litigation risk, poor career advancement, and financial challenges are just some of the stressors faced in practice. I would encourage all veterinary professionals to work to maintain their mental health, in order to properly ensure their own happiness and comfort, and that of the animals they care for.”

The SAFEVET SMART Handbook provides expert mental health advice relevant to veterinary professionals throughout every stage of their careers with proven tips and practical advice to help establish good habits, maintain a healthy mind and body, as well as financial advice, alongside strategies for managing conflict and difficult people.

Speaking at the launch, Ms Niamh Muldoon, Chief Executive and Registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland said:

“One of the key strategic objectives of the Veterinary Council is to support the health and wellbeing of our registrants. With this in mind, we are delighted to launch the SafeVet Smart Handbook, which will help provide support to our valued and resilient registrants throughout every stage of their careers. Veterinary medicine, while a highly rewarding career, can also be extremely challenging at times, so the Council is working on an ongoing basis to gain a better understanding of this issue and how we can best support our registrants”

The Veterinary Council is currently conducting research among its registrants in the area of mental health in the veterinary professions, to gain a better understanding of the topic and to help establish what can be done to support veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses.

The National Office for Suicide Prevention and the National Suicide Research Foundation will assist the Veterinary Council in carrying out vital research in relation to resilience, mental health and suicide prevention amongst the veterinary professions. The Veterinary Council will provide registrants with a link to the survey in due course.

A copy of the SAFEVET SMART handbook will be sent to each veterinary practitioner and veterinary nurse on the Veterinary Council Register.