Mental Health Tips for Veterinary Leaders

With all this going on, it's important that veterinarians in leadership roles prioritize their well-being, but finding time to do so can be tricky. Follow these seven mental health tips to find more balance in your work.

1. Recognize the Signs

All veterinary professionals, including practice owners and managers, are susceptible to burnout and compassion fatigue. Recognizing these issues in yourself and your team is important, so you can take action before the condition affects your health or your practice.

1. Burnout: Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and is common in high-pressure professions, such as veterinary medicine. Be aware of symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, irritability, reduced performance, negativity toward tasks, poor work attitude, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of detachment or cynicism.
2. Compassion fatigue: Compassion fatigue is caused by the trauma care providers experience. Issues such as dying patients, grieving or angry pet owners, and financial constraints limiting an animal's care can quickly lead to compassion fatigue. Signs may include increased alcohol or drug use, recurring dreams of traumatic or emotional scenes, job dissatisfaction, avoiding coworkers or clients, and frequently calling in sick.²

2. Manage Your Workload

Many times veterinary practice managers take on too much, because they're so passionate about their work. This being the case, try to set realistic goals and boundaries for what you can achieve in a day, and delegate tasks when possible to avoid being overwhelmed. Prioritize the most important and time-sensitive tasks so you don't feel overwhelmed and can handle critical responsibilities efficiently.

3. Promote a Healthy Work Environment

Create an environment where your team members feel comfortable discussing their challenges and asking for help. Regular check-ins and an open-door policy can foster trust and transparency.

Encourage team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance by respecting their time off and promoting flexible scheduling when possible. A balanced team is more productive and less prone to burnout. Specific ways to help improve your practice team's mental health include:

• Close on weekends: Refer your clients to urgent care and emergency veterinary practices on weekends to give your team a needed break.
• Build charting time into the schedule: Writing up case notes is imperative for high-quality patient care, but this task takes time. Schedule at least an hour every day for charting, so you and your team don't need to stay late to get the job done. Also, consider incorporating AI scribe services and other technology to improve efficiency when charting. Several companies offer these services for busy veterinary teams.
• Schedule time for urgent-care cases: A pet needing urgent care can quickly derail your entire appointment schedule. Set aside a certain number of appointments each day to handle these cases, or dedicate part of the day to walk-ins.

4. Practice Self-Care

As a veterinary owner or practice manager, finding time to take care of yourself can be difficult, but appropriate self-care is necessary for you to continue functioning at peak physical and mental performance. Considerations include:

• Physical health: Maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Physical health is closely tied to mental health, and taking care of your body helps you stay resilient against stress.
• Mental breaks: Incorporate short breaks throughout your day to rest your mind. Just a few minutes of deep breathing, stretching, or walking can reset your focus and reduce stress.
• Time off: Don't underestimate the importance of time off from work. Regular vacations—even short ones—allow you to recharge and return to work with renewed energy.

5. Build a Support Network

Surround yourself with a network of fellow practice owners, managers, and veterinary professionals who understand the unique challenges you face. Peer support groups or professional associations are a safe space for sharing experiences and seeking advice.

If you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues, consider speaking to a mental health professional. Therapy can provide valuable tools for managing stress and improving your mental well-being.

6. Focus on What You Can Control

Perfectionism, a common trait in the veterinary field, can lead to unnecessary stress. Learn to accept that mistakes happen, and focus on learning from them rather than striving for unattainable perfection.

Instead, concentrate on aspects of your practice you can control, such as improving workflow, training the team, and maintaining high care standards. Let go of what is beyond your control, such as market fluctuations and client behavior.

7. Lead By Example

As a leader, your actions set the tone for the rest of your veterinary team. By prioritizing your mental health and demonstrating healthy coping strategies, you can encourage your team to do the same. It's okay to admit that you're feeling overwhelmed. Showing vulnerability can humanize you as a leader and foster a culture where others feel comfortable seeking help.

Mental health is a critical aspect of running a successful veterinary practice. Implement these mental health tips to protect your well-being, set a positive example for your team, and create a healthier, more supportive work environment.