This article brought to you courtesy of DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital – sponsored content
Dove Lewis establishes a Veterinary Well-being Program for their staff to address rising concerns as veterinary professionals are 2.7 times more likely to die from suicide as the general population.
In addition to concerns with student debt, the effects of burnout, understaffing, and demanding shifts on the floor, veterinarians are 2.7 times more likely to die from suicide as the general population according to Merck Animal Health Veterinary Wellbeing Study II (2020). DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital has established a well-being program focused on supporting their staff and veterinary professionals across the world.
“At DoveLewis, delivering expert care is a top priority, but it has become just as important to extend this same care to our team members,” said Veterinary Well-being Program Director Debrah Lee, LCSW. “Compassion fatigue and burnout, alongside a national staffing shortage and other industry stressors, have us prioritizing mental health support for not only our staff but professionals across the world as well.”
DoveLewis hired Debrah Lee, a licensed clinical social worker, to establish this program to not only provide access to opportunities for staff to find help from these immediate stressors, but also create proactive approaches to better support employee well-being.
These resources include:
ยท One-on-one or team meetings for employees who may benefit from thoughtful guidance during times of stress.
The creation of a limited series podcast, What We Bring, for veterinary professionals to share their stories and experiences to help listeners in feeling less alone.
A personal and professional development program which provides staff with videos that support increased self-awareness to better understand their own responses to the stressors that are inherent to the work.
atDove, DoveLewis’ global online veterinary training resource, published over 35 content pieces targeted to veterinary professionals seeking more information about resiliency, well-being, and compassion fatigue.
DoveLewis’ promise to invest their efforts toward mental health and well-being is not only a reflection of their commitment to their team but has created much-needed space for staff, and professionals across the world, to feel supported under the growing demands for veterinary care in their communities.
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If you are in urgent need of mental health support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text “HOME” to 741741 to connect with the Crisis Text Line.
DoveLewis
24-Hour Emergency Animal Hospital
[1945NWPettygroveSt
Portland, OR 97209
Emergency phone: 503-228-7281
www.dovelewis.org
Dove Lewis does not give medical diagnosis or advice over the phone. If in doubt, please visit the hospital.
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