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.