David Bartram lectured on the Friday 3 April at BSAVA Congress, looking at the issue of mental health and well-being for vets. The session itself looked at the cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being and their associations in the UK veterinary profession.

David Bartram graduated from the RVC in 1988 and after 3 years in farm animal practice he moved into the pharmaceutical industry. David is also a part-time PhD student at the School of Medicine, University of Southampton, researching the mental health of the veterinary profession. David has also conducted research into alcohol consumption amongst veterinary surgeons in the UK.

The recordings show the results of a cross-sectional study of mental health and well-being in the UK veterinary profession. The completed questionnaire was returned by 1,796 participants, a response rate of 56%. Compared to the general population, the sample reported high levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms; higher 12-month prevalence of suicidal thoughts; less favourable psychosocial working conditions, especially in regard to the high level of demands and low level of managerial support; lower levels of positive mental well-being; and higher levels of negative work-home interaction. The levels of psychological distress reported suggest ready access to and knowledge of lethal means is probably not operating in isolation to increase suicide risk within the profession.

Friday 3 April, 14.15 Kingston Room, Austin Court
Mental health and well-being for vets

BSAVA Members and Non-Members can access all MP3 downloads from the mental health and well-being for vets session through the below links. Should you have any problems in accessing your MP3 downloads, please telephone 01452 726700, or email administration@bsava.com.

Click here to access the mental health and well-being for vets MP3s in full >>