I should apologize for the rather drastic topic change, but since the ‘vets in the apocalypse’ is generating so much attention, I feel the need to point out that we vets kind of do need saving.
In a non-apocalypse scenario, we are suffering a serious mental health epidemic. More than half of us have depression or anxiety, and we are 4 to 5 times more likely to commit suicide than the average population. It’s estimated that 1 in 6 of us will attempt it, or seriously consider it.
This isn’t necessarily because we deal with death on a regular basis, but more because we’re sandwiched between wanting to do everything for a case but being restricted by something as arbitrary as money. Or to be restricted from helping because it’s ‘just a dog’ or ‘just a cat’. For not being respected as a ‘real doctor’. Or expected to dispense death our for some uncaring soul’s convenience. Or being verbally abused for not breaking the law and handing out prescription products without an exam. For being accused of only being in it for the money.
But… funnily enough a zombie apocalypse is almost a less stressful scenario for many of us, and I think that’s why as a profession so many of us have been daydreaming about it.
There’s no money. Lives matter. The restrictions upon you are real, physical, supply issues. You’re not trying to keep your job, just your life. You can talk back and tell someone exactly what you think of them, there’s no expectation to remain professional in the face of abuse. There’s no law, just your ethics. And you don’t have to listen to a ten minute tirade from Mrs something-oodle owner about how you clipped off too much fur for a procedure.
I mean, if I have to choose between confronting the you-know-who client or a zombie, I’m allowed to run away from the zombie. Just saying.
Most of us are not in a huge rush to change who we are or what we can do, but it is tempting to think about a world where the surrounding stressful circumstances are gone. Even if that’s a world that’s already generally depressing and anxiety is a completely reasonable response.
jacobvanloon
prguitarman
janainaart
annaxmalina
gummygunk
