In this month's episode, we talk to Dr Matthew Muir on how to improve mental health in vets by exploring and practicing integrative veterinary medicine.

Topics discussed include:
The impacts of emotional stress and discussing cost of care.
High expectations and financial strains as a veterinarian.
How can vets achieve an emotionally sustainable career?
Dr Muir defines stress and the different types affecting veterinarians.
The importance of coping strategies in the veterinary industry.
Do we need to change ways to deliver veterinary medicine?
How practicing integrative medicine has helped Dr Matthew Muir.
The impact of preventative integrative medicine.
Do the same strains that apply to conventional vet practices apply to integrative practices?
Dr Matthew suggests how GP vets can utilise the integrative medicine philosophy in a time restrictive GP practice.
Dr Muir's shares his personal experience on managing stress and burnout throughout his career.



Mental Health Toolkit for Veterinarians

If this podcast has caused you distress, please reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 for support.

1. Mental Health Resources:
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) - THRIVE 
Description: Offers resources, counselling, peer support, and educational programs tailored for veterinarians, focusing on mental health and well-being.
Website:https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/
Lifeline Australia
Description: Provides 24/7 crisis support and connects veterinarians with relevant mental health services.
Website:https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Beyond Blue - Mental Health Support for Veterinarians
Description: Offers stress management strategies, support networks, and resources.
Website:https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Heads Up - Mental Health in the Workplace
Description: An initiative to promote mentally healthy workplaces, offering resources for building resilience and reducing burnout.
Website:https://www.headsup.org.au/

2. Literature and Educational Resources:
Coping with Stress and Burnout as a Veterinarian by Nadine Hamilton
Description: A comprehensive guide addressing the unique stressors in the veterinary profession and providing strategies for coping.
Purchase Link:https://www.booktopia.com.au/coping-with-stress-and-burnout-as-a-veterinarian-nadine-hamilton/book/9781925644197.html
Australian Veterinary Association - Mental Health Approach Literature Review & Desktop Analysis
Description: A detailed report on the mental health challenges faced by veterinarians and the existing support structures.
Access Link:https://www.ava.com.au/siteassets/thrive/ava---literature-review--desktop-analysis-final_oct22.pdf
NCBI Article on Veterinary Mental Health
Description: A research article discussing mental health issues within the veterinary profession and potential solutions.
Access Link:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10351608/pdf/fvets-10-1184525.pdf

3. Support Networks:
Mentor Groups - The Vet Mind Mentor
Description: Peer support and mentoring specifically for veterinarians, providing a safe space to share experiences and seek advice.
Website:https://www.instagram.com/thevet_mindmentor/
Professional Associations:
Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Graduate Mentor Program
Description: Offers various support programs for new graduates.
Website:https://www.ava.com.au/about-us/programs-awards/graduate-mentoring-program/#:~:text=The%20AVA%20Graduate%20Mentoring%20Program,they%20transition%20into%20the%20profession.

4. Wellness and Relaxation Practices:
Yoga Nidra / NSDR - Ayla Nova
Description: Guided relaxation sessions available on Spotify or YouTube, ideal for stress relief.
Website:https://www.youtube.com/aylanovanidra
Michael Sealey Sleep Hypnosis
Description: Sleep hypnosis sessions to help veterinarians manage stress and improve sleep quality.
Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GoqHypa-SDrGPMyeBkjKw

5. Podcasts and Audio Resources:
Fx Medicine Podcast: Four Perspectives on Workplace Stress
Description: A podcast episode discussing workplace stress from multiple perspectives, offering insights and strategies relevant to veterinarians.
Listen on: Fx Medicine Podcast: https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/four-perspectives-burnout-beyond-workplace-stress

6. Emergency Support:
Triple 000
Description: Emergency contact number for immediate crisis intervention.

7. Mental Health Care Plans:
GP-Mental Health Care Plans
Description: Veterinarians can access tailored mental health care plans through their GP, offering ongoing support and management strategies.

8. College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) for short integrative medicine courses:
Home | College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (civtedu.org)

In this month's episode, we talk to Dr Matthew Muir on how to improve mental health in vets by exploring and practicing integrative veterinary medicine.
Topics discussed include:
<ul>
<li>The impacts of emotional stress and discussing cost of care.</li>
<li>High expectations and financial strains as a veterinarian.</li>
<li>How can vets achieve an emotionally sustainable career?</li>
<li>Dr Muir defines stress and the different types affecting veterinarians.</li>
<li>The importance of coping strategies in the veterinary industry.</li>
<li>Do we need to change ways to deliver veterinary medicine?</li>
<li>How practicing integrative medicine has helped Dr Matthew Muir.</li>
<li>The impact of preventative integrative medicine.</li>
<li>Do the same strains that apply to conventional vet practices apply to integrative practices?</li>
<li>Dr Matthew suggests how GP vets can utilise the integrative medicine philosophy in a time restrictive GP practice.</li>
<li>Dr Muir's shares his personal experience on managing stress and burnout throughout his career.</li>
</ul>
 
Mental Health Toolkit for Veterinarians
If this podcast has caused you distress, please reach out to Lifeline at 13 11 14 for support.
1. Mental Health Resources:
<ul>
<li>Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) - THRIVE 
<ul>
<li>Description: Offers resources, counselling, peer support, and educational programs tailored for veterinarians, focusing on mental health and well-being.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/how-we-help-you/emergency-help/"> </a><a href="https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/">https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Lifeline Australia
<ul>
<li>Description: Provides 24/7 crisis support and connects veterinarians with relevant mental health services.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/"> </a><a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Beyond Blue - Mental Health Support for Veterinarians
<ul>
<li>Description: Offers stress management strategies, support networks, and resources.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/"> </a>https://www.beyondblue.org.au/</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Heads Up - Mental Health in the Workplace
<ul>
<li>Description: An initiative to promote mentally healthy workplaces, offering resources for building resilience and reducing burnout.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.headsup.org.au/"> </a><a href="https://www.headsup.org.au/">https://www.headsup.org.au/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
2. Literature and Educational Resources:
<ul>
<li>Coping with Stress and Burnout as a Veterinarian by Nadine Hamilton
<ul>
<li>Description: A comprehensive guide addressing the unique stressors in the veterinary profession and providing strategies for coping.</li>
<li>Purchase Link:<a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/coping-with-stress-and-burnout-as-a-veterinarian-nadine-hamilton/book/9781925644197.html"> </a><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/coping-with-stress-and-burnout-as-a-veterinarian-nadine-hamilton/book/9781925644197.html">https://www.booktopia.com.au/coping-with-stress-and-burnout-as-a-veterinarian-nadine-hamilton/book/9781925644197.html</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Australian Veterinary Association - Mental Health Approach Literature Review &amp; Desktop Analysis
<ul>
<li>Description: A detailed report on the mental health challenges faced by veterinarians and the existing support structures.</li>
<li>Access Link:<a href="https://www.ava.com.au/siteassets/thrive/ava---literature-review--desktop-analysis-final_oct22.pdf"> </a>https://www.ava.com.au/siteassets/thrive/ava---literature-review--desktop-analysis-final_oct22.pdf</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>NCBI Article on Veterinary Mental Health
<ul>
<li>Description: A research article discussing mental health issues within the veterinary profession and potential solutions.</li>
<li>Access Link:<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10351608/pdf/fvets-10-1184525.pdf"> </a>https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10351608/pdf/fvets-10-1184525.pdf</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
3. Support Networks:
<ul>
<li>Mentor Groups - The Vet Mind Mentor
<ul>
<li>Description: Peer support and mentoring specifically for veterinarians, providing a safe space to share experiences and seek advice.</li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thevet_mindmentor/">https://www.instagram.com/thevet_mindmentor/</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Professional Associations:
<ul>
<li>Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Graduate Mentor Program
<ul>
<li>Description: Offers various support programs for new graduates.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://www.ava.com.au/Thrive/how-we-help-you/emergency-help/"> </a>https://www.ava.com.au/about-us/programs-awards/graduate-mentoring-program/#:~:text=The%20AVA%20Graduate%20Mentoring%20Program,they%20transition%20into%20the%20profession.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
4. Wellness and Relaxation Practices:
<ul>
<li>Yoga Nidra / NSDR - Ayla Nova
<ul>
<li>Description: Guided relaxation sessions available on Spotify or YouTube, ideal for stress relief.</li>
<li>Website:<a href="https://spotify.com"> </a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/aylanovanidra">https://www.youtube.com/aylanovanidra</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Michael Sealey Sleep Hypnosis
<ul>
<li>Description: Sleep hypnosis sessions to help veterinarians manage stress and improve sleep quality.</li>
<li>Website: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GoqHypa-SDrGPMyeBkjKw">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9GoqHypa-SDrGPMyeBkjKw</a> <a href="https://spotify.com"></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
5. Podcasts and Audio Resources:
<ul>
<li>Fx Medicine Podcast: Four Perspectives on Workplace Stress
<ul>
<li>Description: A podcast episode discussing workplace stress from multiple perspectives, offering insights and strategies relevant to veterinarians.</li>
<li>Listen on: Fx Medicine Podcast: <a href="https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/four-perspectives-burnout-beyond-workplace-stress">https://www.fxmedicine.com.au/podcast/four-perspectives-burnout-beyond-workplace-stress</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
6. Emergency Support:
<ul>
<li>Triple 000
<ul>
<li>Description: Emergency contact number for immediate crisis intervention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
7. Mental Health Care Plans:
<ul>
<li>GP-Mental Health Care Plans
<ul>
<li>Description: Veterinarians can access tailored mental health care plans through their GP, offering ongoing support and management strategies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
8. College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) for short integrative medicine courses:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://civtedu.org/">Home | College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies (civtedu.org)</a></li>
</ul>

The pureANIMAL Collective podcast shares cutting edge science, clinical wisdom, and inspiration on integrative veterinary medicine. Each month, we interview our team of experts in the fields of orthopaedics, dermatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine. Our mission is to create a world where integrative veterinary medicine is accessible to all, to empower and inspire other veterinary professionals and pet parents alike, and to ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of pets. Host Dr Sarah Howard is a veterinarian and lifelong student of natural health. 

The pureANIMAL Collective podcast shares cutting edge science, clinical wisdom, and inspiration on integrative veterinary medicine. Each month, we interview our team of experts in the fields of orthopaedics, dermatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine. Our mission is to create a world where integrative veterinary medicine is accessible to all, to empower and inspire other veterinary professionals and pet parents alike, and to ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of pets. Host Dr Sarah Howard is a veterinarian and lifelong student of natural health.

The Pure Animal Podcast aims to enlighten listeners about an integrative approach to veterinary medicine. Each month, we interview practitioners at the forefront of this field who share their insight and experience with the ultimate goal of benefiting the well-being and health of animals.

pureANIMAL Collective

In this month's episode, we talk to Dr Matthew Muir on how to improve mental health in vets by exploring and practicing integrative veterinary medicine.

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