By Pauline Machado
The month of January is marked by the arrival of a new year, a time when people renew their goals. But January is also an important month for bringing to the forefront reflection and care for people's emotional health, through the White January Campaign.
Care and preventative measures extend to veterinary professionals and also to their patients, such as dogs and cats.
To understand what leads professionals in this area to potential emotional harm and how this poor quality of life can interfere with the emotional health of dogs and cats, we spoke with Psychologist and Professor Bianca Stevanin Gresele , in addition to being a specialist in Analytical Psychology, holds a Master's and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, and is a postgraduate student in suicide prevention and postvention. Bianca is also a psychologist at the Belo Horizonte Public Veterinary Complex and GRABH – the Belo Horizonte Animal Rescue Group, as well as Aleyda – the Latin American Association of Veterinary Disaster Medicine. She coordinates Mental Health in Veterinary Medicine projects for CRMVs (Regional Councils of Veterinary Medicine) and associations, and is president of Ekôa Vet – an association promoting mental health in veterinary medicine.
To discuss the emotional health of dogs and cats, we spoke exclusively with Veterinarian, Libia Cristina Franco , graduated in Veterinary Psychiatry and post-graduated in Animal Behavior with an emphasis on dogs and cats.
The information and guidance from both professionals are unmissable! Watch the interview!
Pet Med – In general, what can we understand by Mental Health?
Bianca Gresele – In the future, we will no longer talk about mental health and physical health; we will simply talk about health, because body and mind are one, they are not separate, and one affects the other; they are interconnected. However, we can define mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual has the capacity, the capacity they develop, to cope with the stressors of life, of daily life, of routine. We have challenges, we have unforeseen events; that is, these are the stressors that occur, and we need to know how to deal with these stressful moments, to deal with emotions like sadness and anger without this causing harm to our mental health. Mental health is not merely the absence of mental disorders, but involves emotional, psychological, and social aspects that affect and impact how a person thinks, feels, and behaves—in other words, what impacts the life of this individual.
Pet Med – Is it possible to measure the incidence of mental health problems in the field of veterinary medicine, to the point that we have the White January Campaign which deals with prevention on this topic?
Bianca Gresele – Yes, we've already been able to measure some things. These aren't necessarily specific rates, but data from research I've conducted in Brazil—national studies and some other research I've supervised that is currently underway. We've at least been able to measure that veterinarians do face challenges, including emotional demands, not to mention issues of professional devaluation, ethical conflicts, and financial problems. All these factors can contribute to the mental health of these professionals. However, these are contributing factors, and we can't say that veterinary medicine, as a profession, is solely responsible, as it involves aspects of both professional and personal life. But we could, and I think it's a good idea, to have a White January campaign focused on reflection and prevention related to the mental health of veterinarians.
Pet Med – Are these cases increasing in Veterinary Medicine?
Bianca Gresele – We don't know if these cases are increasing in Veterinary Medicine. To know something like that, we would need data. We would need rates, we would need old research that has proven that the rates, for example, of burnout, depression, and suicide among veterinarians were X and that today the rates are Y. We don't have research in this sense because it's very difficult to measure. So, even as an example, the information circulating that veterinarians have the highest suicide rate in Brazil is false. I always say that we don't have this information because there's a lack of databases in Brazil for us to be able to talk about these rates for various professionals. The same applies to veterinarians. So, scientifically, we cannot affirm this. What we can affirm, based on what we have seen, is that the number of veterinarians is increasing more and more. Therefore, it's possible that the problems are also increasing, including the illness of these professionals, as well as the impact of the new role of pets. So, these transformations, these changes that have been happening in recent years regarding the role of pets, of being considered like children, and consequently, veterinarians are receiving different pet owners, who are more demanding, who project their greater emotional needs onto them, this, we can infer, may be harming or contributing to the worsening of the mental health of these professionals.
Pet Med – Considering the daily routine of veterinarians, what generally interferes most with the mental health of these professionals?
Bianca Gresele – According to these studies, as I mentioned, the most common issue is the difficulty in balancing personal and professional life. In other words, these are generally professionals who work very hard and have difficulty balancing these two worlds. Of course, there is the devaluation of the profession as a consequence, since it is a profession that is undervalued in Brazil, in our culture, where professionals earn poorly, so there are also these financial aspects. Veterinarians also deal with ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding the care of these animals and also deal with the experience of death of these patients. These are professionals who go through the experience of losing patients, while at the same time having to support these owners around these emotional demands, around the bereavement of these owners, as well as carrying out what is called difficult communication, which is not only the communication of death, but any communication that can be classified as difficult for that owner to hear. In other words, we combine aspects to summarize and simplify: imbalance between personal and professional life; The devaluation of the profession, mainly involving financial aspects and insufficient pay; the issue of working with emotional matters involving death, performing euthanasia, and difficult communications.
Pet Med – In this respect, how is it possible to maintain good mental health while working in the field of Veterinary Medicine?
Bianca Gresele – This issue involves two contexts that I always call individual responsibility and collective responsibility. Individual responsibility is what each professional and each individual can do for themselves, given their context and possibilities; that is, taking care of themselves. The professional, the individual, should think: how can I take care of myself? Given, of course, their reality. So, can I exercise? How many times a week can I exercise? Can I improve the quality of my sleep, have a slightly better diet? Can I set limits, not spend all my time looking at WhatsApp? Can I better balance my personal and professional life? Does doing this depend only on me? So, this is personal responsibility, which each individual must assume. In addition, of course, when possible, there should be psychotherapy, as well as moments of leisure and moments of... hobby also.
Collective responsibility, on the other hand, encompasses aspects that don't depend on the individual. This includes improvements in working conditions, the profession itself being more valued, professionals earning higher wages, and, for example, having psychologists in hospitals, clinics, and all organizations to provide support to these professionals and their owners. This corresponds to a responsibility that falls more on councils, associations, large companies, and even public policies, including societal awareness, to foster greater understanding of the work of veterinarians and to value and respect these professionals more.
Pet Med – How can you tell if a veterinarian needs help with their mental health?
Bianca Gresele – This can also be very subjective, so we have to be very careful, because people don't always show that they need help. But, in most cases, for those who live with their colleagues, especially since we spend most of our time at work, there's a greater chance that a coworker will see and observe that someone else isn't doing well, even more so than at home. So, observe changes in mood and behavior; suddenly, the professional may start to isolate themselves, become more irritable, more curt, avoid contact with other people, sometimes have crying spells, and the content of their words and speech may show that the person is discouraged, demotivated, and hopeless. Habits also say a lot about our health: whether they are not sleeping, sleeping too much, sometimes overeating, and addictions also appear strongly, whether it's addiction to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, or various types of substances, and so on. Just as there are also those professionals who ask for help. People who say they are not well, that they need support, someone to listen to them, and from there, ideally, this professional or this individual should be supported and, if necessary, referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Pet Med – What can be done to help, treat, and restore the mental health of veterinarians?
Bianca Gresele – For mental health treatment, when a diagnosis is involved, meaning treatment is necessary, it is recommended and essential to undergo psychotherapy with a psychologist. Then, assessing the need, the individual will also receive follow-up care from a psychiatrist and will take medication if necessary. Therefore, when necessary, follow-up with both a psychologist and a psychiatrist is crucial because medication treats the symptoms and therapy addresses the cause. However, beyond that, a support network is always necessary. We cannot forgo support networks. Support networks are considered a protective and preventative factor regarding mental health. Therefore, it is important that individuals have this support network in their professional and personal lives, as well as awareness of these issues within the veterinary fields where veterinarians work. We need companies, leaders, and managers who are more aware of this and who, if possible, have psychologists working in these locations, as already exists in hospitals in Brazil.
Pet Med – What are the impacts on veterinary care and on the personal lives of professionals in the field when they do not seek treatment for their mental and emotional health?
Bianca Gresele – Neglecting mental health can reduce the quality of veterinary care, mainly due to errors, and contribute to communication difficulties. Furthermore, it can also impact relationships with colleagues and the organizational climate. In personal life, it generally causes social isolation, behavioral changes, and also impacts relationships with friends and family.
Pet Med – Considering this scenario as a whole, how is it possible to prevent mental health problems in Veterinary Medicine?
Bianca Gresele – Prevention includes a self-care routine, emotional training for professionals, and access to psychological support. Institutions should offer healthy environments, balance workloads, and create mental health programs. Likewise, valuing the profession is crucial. Leaders play a vital role in recognizing and supporting the emotional needs of their teams. Support networks and public policies complement this approach, promoting awareness and better working conditions. The integration of individual and collective actions is essential to strengthen the well-being of professionals, as well as prioritizing the mental health of veterinarians, with an emphasis on research, projects, and responsible actions. Currently, we have Ekôa Vet, the first Brazilian association dedicated to mental health in veterinary medicine, of which I have the honor of being president. The first book on the subject in this area will also be launched soon. To transform this scenario, it is fundamental to unite efforts of individual and collective responsibility.
Pet Med – And in the case of dogs and cats, what can we understand by Mental Health in both species?
Libya Franco – The mental health of dogs and cats is the state of physical and mental well-being in which the animal is able to express its natural species needs and have a good quality of life.
Pet Med – Is it possible to measure the incidence of mental health problems in dogs and cats, to the point that we have the White January Campaign which addresses prevention on this topic, also for pets?
Libya Franco – Absolutely. Several studies conducted with animals examine the number of animals in our country that have mental disorders or exhibit behavioral problems. After the pandemic, for example, the number of animals exhibiting anxiety increased by up to 80%.
Pet Med – Why are these cases increasing in pets' daily lives?
Libya Franco – I believe what has increased is the possibility of diagnosis. Before, few diseases were recognized as having a behavioral basis. From the moment we look at the animal as a whole, we understand that a sick mind can lead to various physiological changes that result in so many trips to the veterinarian. Furthermore, there is a greater recognition of the animal as a member of the family, generating an emotional attachment from both sides. Depending on what is emotionally invested in this animal, disorders such as separation anxiety, where the animal panics when away from its owner, can increase in incidence.
Pet Med – And, considering the daily routine of dogs and cats, what generally interferes most with their mental health?
Libya Franco – His routine, the environment in which he lives, and the activities he performs throughout the day.
Pet Med – In this respect, how is it possible to maintain the mental health of dogs and cats?
Libya Franco – To provide a good environment where he can express his natural behavior, have a routine that promotes physical and mental health, and focus on activities during the day to exercise his mind.
One of the biggest mistakes, which causes so much frustration for animals, is not allowing them to express their natural behavior. Cats need to scratch, and if you don't provide a good scratching post, they will direct it towards your sofa or bed. Dogs have a need to chew on objects, and if you don't offer a suitable object, they may chew on the legs of tables and chairs.
Understanding the natural behavior of the species you have at home helps you understand which activities and games need to be added to their routine.
Pet Med – How can you tell if your pet needs help with their mental health?
Libya Franco – The pet owner is the veterinary behaviorist's greatest ally. Changes in behavior, aggression, consistently high anxiety, high stress levels, drastic changes in routine, or even the loss of a loved one can lead the owner to notice changes in the animal's behavior. We should also pay attention to animals that lick excessively, urinate and defecate in inappropriate places, panic when left alone at home, show changes in appetite, disinterest in play, or a reversal of their day-night cycle. All these changes can be a sign that your pet's mental health is not good.
Pet Med – What can be done to help, treat, and restore mental health in dogs and cats?
Libya Franco – The main point is to seek the help of a veterinary behaviorist. During the consultation, the animal's physical and mental health will be investigated. A mental disorder can lead to changes in the animal's entire organism and vice versa. An animal that feels pain may have behavioral changes. Through a complete investigation, the behavioral therapy to be performed with the animal will be defined, determining whether or not medication is necessary.
Pet Med – What are the impacts on the health and quality of life of dogs and cats and their families when there is no search for treatment for their mental and emotional health?
Libya Franco – Mental illnesses are directly linked to the entire animal organism. An animal that does not receive proper treatment may experience a worsening of its condition, loss of appetite, loss of interest in activities, and may even die, as it will lose interest in vital activities such as eating, playing, drinking water, and interacting.
Pet Med – Finally, considering this scenario as a whole, how can we prevent mental health problems in the dogs and cats that live with us?
Libya Franco – The main point is that before adopting/buying an animal, you should study the breed and species you are acquiring. This is essential for you to meet the needs of that breed, and to understand what daily activities are necessary for the animal to feel comfortable in an enclosed environment, such as a house or apartment.
Offering daily walks, playtime with environmental enrichment, commands that stimulate the mind, and quality time with your pet will provide physical and mental well-being.
Always remember: your pet's favorite part of the day is when you're around. They depend on us, and therefore it's our duty to provide a good quality of life for our companions.
