Shocking statistics show that Australian veterinarians are up to four times more likely to take their own lives than the general population. In a bid to raise awareness around the mental strain our vets are under, Flynn’s Walk comes to Commonwealth Place in Canberra on Sunday 21 May.
Young and travelling with his dream profession, Dr Flynn Hargreaves seemed to have it all at just 27. While working internationally, Flynn made time for fun as well; to friends, it seemed he was living a full and rewarding life. It was a shock to all who knew him when he ended his own life in 2018.
Close friend Jack Levitt’s world was shaken by the news; the pair had known each other since they were 15. While Flynn would mention the pressures of the job, no one knew the real toll it was taking.
“He would talk about it being a tough industry, tough hours, long days but he found it really rewarding. He found the work enriching and took in lots of different places,” Mr Levitt says.
He and some other of Flynn’s friends launched Flynn’s Walk in Melbourne that same year as a way to get together and process the grief. It has grown since that first year into a platform for raising awareness and a way for people to connect with those who look after our pets and domesticated animals.
“I’ve learned so much more about the depth of the challenges and struggles and sadly, the extensive stats around suicide and burnout; how many people have experienced mental illness in the field or in the saddest circumstances decided to take their life,” says Mr Levitt.
The free event invites locals to bring their walking buddy – both human and furry; they’ve even had a scaley friend partake in the stroll. In Canberra, the meeting place is Commonwealth Place, from where the group leisurely walks a 5km circuit around Lake Burley Griffin. Free coffee and a barbecue are offered for attendees; people are welcome to do the whole walk, just a section or hang back in the park.
Mr Levitt says the walk is purely for the purpose of spending time together, acknowledging the issues our veterinarians are facing, and having a discussion around it.
“If you’ve ever been in a situation where a vet has helped you with your pet, then it is nice to come and say thank you for that, even just by turning up,” he says.
Expanding to more cities over the years, the team were contacted by a Canberra veterinary nurse in 2021 who said her community also needed the event. Flynn’s Walk came to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin that year, and Mr Levitt says it just felt natural to be here.
“It was originally about raising the awareness in the community and still is; for pet owners and the animal lovers out there to understand what’s happening on the other side of the consult door or the back of house of a vet.”
Burnout is common in the profession and Mr Levitt says it is easy to see why when you start looking at the statistics. On average, there are around 200 people to a medical GP, while for every vet there are about 2,000 animals.
“There’s the human element, too. Every domestic pet that comes in has an owner, and attached to that is potentially a family. So, vets are really a middle point for that human-animal bond; they are the person on the other side who helps to foster that and is there to help put the pieces back together or solve something,” he says.
Emotions run high in veterinary clinics, says Mr Levitt, with staff being abused daily, and even bullied via social media. He says taking your sick or injured pet into a veterinary practice should be the same as taking a family member to a doctor. You wouldn’t abuse a doctor over the cost of medical treatment and should extend that courtesy to your veterinarian.
“Kindness won’t be charged from either side. So, consider that and, you know, treat them as you’d like to be treated,” he says.
As an Australian registered charity, any donation over $2 made to Flynn’s Walk can be claimed at tax time.
Mr Levitt says on the day they will have some great merchandise for purchase and a raffle on offer, with profits going straight back into the organisation. Last year, the charity launched workshops in Melbourne designed to help vets with situational stressors and, like the walk, they hope to expand these to other cities.
“Vets, nurses and other vet staff can come along and build their wellbeing toolkit. There’s resilience training, mindfulness and some really cool open group discussions about what people’s needs are and how people can actually go back to a workplace and support each other.”
While the event is free, organisers ask that people register ahead of the date so that they can adequately cater for all attendees.
Flynn’s Walk sets off from Commonwealth Place (across from Questacon) on Sunday 21 May from 9.30am; flynnswalk.com.au
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