Veterinarians with poor work-related mental health and higher levels of alcohol consumption are fearful of the consequences of seeking help, according to research by Oxford Brookes University. The study, led by Dr. Jennifer Seddon, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, and Olivia Cormier, an Associate Researcher and qualified veterinary surgeon, examined perceptions of alcohol use and mental health challenges within the UK veterinary profession.
The study highlights key barriers to seeking help, particularly the stigma associated with alcohol and concerns about potential intervention from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body overseeing professional standards for veterinarians in the UK. The findings are published in the journal Veterinary Record . The findings suggest that veterinarians face significant obstacles in addressing feelings of stress and burnout, mainly due to fears that seeking help could lead to scrutiny or disciplinary action from the RCVS.
Seventeen veterinarians from across the UK participated in the study, including fifteen women. Seven participants reported having previously struggled with alcohol-related problems . Through in-depth interviews lasting between 40 and 75 minutes, the participants shared their experiences and perspectives on problem drinking and the barriers they encountered in seeking help.
The research uncovered an entrenched drinking culture within the veterinary profession, where alcohol use is normalized from vete.