I am writing this message just after returning from the AASV Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. It was great to greet old friends and colleagues, and even more exciting to meet new friends and colleagues. It is these friends and colleagues that many of us reach out to and rely upon for professional and personal support. Throughout life we have all had people who have made a special effort to support us through both good and challenging times. This support can come in many forms depending on the situations of both those giving and receiving the support.
Support can come in the form of a mentor, or an experienced and trusted adviser. Most think of a mentor in the classic term of someone who is older than the mentee. While this is often the case, a mentor can be anyone with a specific skill or experience that the mentee would like to develop under their guidance. In the spirit of lifelong learning, many choose to specialize, or gain increased knowledge in specific areas. These learnings can be more formalized such as a graduate degree or certification program, or informal self-study. No matter what approach you choose, the presence of an experienced, engaged mentor is key to success. A trusted mentor must be a good listener to best understand the goals of the individual while asking questions that challenge potentially limiting assumptions. A mentor should be empathetic, and at the same time, provide encouraging, honest feedback. How do you find a mentor? Usually it is up to the individual to identify someone they feel would be a good mentor, and then contact them. This can be intimidating, especially if there is not an existing relationship. Asking for an introduction from a mutual peer may help lessen the anxiety of the process. Fortunately, the AASV Early Career Committee has started to formalize a plan to establish a mentorship program. Consider participating and share your knowledge and experiences with others within AASV.
The impact of various stressors on our mental health is a real challenge, and not unique to our profession. For many individual reasons, the ability to openly discuss our own mental health, or the mental health of another with family or colleagues is uncomfortable. The American Psychiatric Association states that more than half of people with mental illness do not receive help for their disorders, often due to concerns about being treated differently or fear of losing their employment.1 This is because stigma against those with mental illness is still a problem. How do we as an organization continue the discussion and move towards removing this stigma? Stigma usually comes from lack of understanding or fear of what we do not understand. Research shows that knowing or having contact with someone with mental illness is one of the best ways to reduce stigma.1 Although these conversations are uncomfortable and difficult, sharing with a peer makes it less uncomfortable for the person sharing, and now more relatable and real for the person listening. We need to continue to have conversations regarding mental health including educational opportunities as an organization so that these conversations continue to become more normal. Both the AASV and AVMA have well- being resources available to begin increasing your personal knowledge that I have found to be very helpful, and I encourage you to review them.
The peer support that I have received from members of AASV has been invaluable to me personally and professionally. From my first mentor, Dr David Schoneweis inviting me to ride along to my first AASP meeting in Minneapolis, to other mentors and many of you who have always been there to talk or listen when needed, thank you for always being there. I am sure many of you also can describe similar experiences of tremendous peer support that members of AASV have provided to you. Reach out, be willing to listen, and give back. Remember, we’re all in this together!
Mike Senn, DVM, MS
AASV President
Reference
1. Stigma, prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. American Psychiatric Association. August 2020. Accessed March 14, 2022. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination