Veterinary behavioural health issues associated with disaster response

Abstract

Emergencies and disasters create stressful situations that can exacerbate ongoing behavioural health issues. Veterinarians have been identified as a professional group at elevated risk for behavioural health issues when they are involved with an emergency response. Prior studies looking at transboundary animal disease disaster management demonstrate the significant and long-lasting mental health effects experienced by veterinary responders. To examine the scale and scope of behavioural health issues exhibited by veterinary responders, an online and anonymous survey was conducted with veterinarians who had participated in events in the Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America regions. The results of the survey showed that behavioural health issues were reported by 51 per cent of respondents during and up to 6 months after the disaster. Behavioural health issues reported included loss of sleep, anxiety, difficulty with personal and professional relationships, mood swings, depression, nightmares and flashbacks and suicidal thoughts. The scope and magnitude of veterinarians with behavioural health issues associated with disasters underscores the need for guidelines, standards, education, training and further research in this area.

Mental Health Impact of Mass Depopulation of Swine on Veterinarians During COVID-19 Infrastructure Breakdown

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“…The presence of a preparedness plan can help to build emotional readiness and resilience. 35 As leaders in the community, trained veterinary professionals can substantially impact community-wide efforts to respond appropriately to animal cruelty.…”

‘All we found were bones’: Veterinary workers’ distress and trauma after Australia's Black Summer bushfires

“…[25][26][27][28][29] However, most investigations into how VACWs experience disasters have focused on veterinarians responding to disease outbreaks. 8 Less empirical evidence exists on the experiences of VACWs exposed to other types of disasters, including natural hazards. Additionally, the literature largely ignores VACWs who collaborate with veterinarians during disasters.…”

“…7 There has been little investigation into the potential repercussions for VACWs who conducted this work during the Black Summer, although there is evidence that veterinarians have experienced psychological adversity associated with previous disasters globally. 8 VACWs affected by the Black Summer bushfires may be similarly susceptible to poor mental health.…”

“…These workers protected community interests during and after the Black Summer bushfires through treatment decisions that preserved production animal welfare and farmers’ financial wellbeing, 6 and by evacuating threatened species to safeguard ecosystems 7 . There has been little investigation into the potential repercussions for VACWs who conducted this work during the Black Summer, although there is evidence that veterinarians have experienced psychological adversity associated with previous disasters globally 8 . VACWs affected by the Black Summer bushfires may be similarly susceptible to poor mental health.…”