Publications & Presentations
Workplace Mental Health for Veterinary Teams with Mary Ann Baynton supported by the CVMA.
Mary Ann Baynton was involved in the development of the Canadian National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The CSA document was published in 2012 and have had measurable improvements at workplaces across Canada.
Recipe for Psychological Health and Safety at Work
Every workplace has an opportunity to sprinkle this recipe to improve their workday.
Blog written for Vetstrategy by Coral Doherty
The Psychologically Safe Co-Worker
When we understand the characteristics of a psychologically safe workplace and implement them in our daily routine, symptoms of compassion fatigue and burnout can begin to ease and we can once again focus on the things about our work that we love most.
Published by VetStrategy August 2021
Workplace Mental Health
Case studies have shown that employers who implement measures to protect and promote psychological health and safety experience measurable improvements in: • Employee retention • Overall productivity • Organizational excellence • Reduced compassion fatigue, burnout and secondary vicarious trauma • Improved attendance and worker satisfaction
written by Coral Doherty RVT, CPHSA
Published by ABMVA November/Dec 2020
Leading the way with webinars….
Coral brought Psychological Safety Management Systems concepts to vet med in 2021
Leading the way with Webinars
Mind the Gap: Staying Safe with Psychological Health and Safety Standards
Coral pioneered Psychological Health and Safety in Veterinary Medicine by becoming the first RVT to become a Psychological Health and Safety Advisor.
She led the way with the first series of Mind the Gap in 2021and a follow up in 2022.
Each webinar series took place over 8 weeks
This webinar series was offered in partnership with the Alberta Veterinary Technologist Association and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association with a focus on psychological health and safety standards in veterinary medicine. This series of 8, one-hour, interactive webinars focused on how you and your veterinary clinic can work to together and improve the 13 factors for psychological health and safety as set out by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
This series was geared towards clinic owners, practice managers, HR leads, clinic leads of Occupational Health and Safety Teams, employees at all levels who are interested in psychological health and safety, and board members of VMA and members of PIPS committees.
Attendee Comments and Data - Results from the first Mind the Gap presentation January-March 2021
57% of attendees would like to implement Psychological Health and Safety Standards at their practice…within this year.
Attendees comments:
“It is not just our clinic that struggles with management and mental health importance.”
“There are actually many resources to use to implement to improve workplace Psychological Health and Safety”
“That Mental Health is important & a PHSMS should be available to me as an employee”
“The 13 factors affecting psychological health and safety shows how important it is to have a safe workplace”
“I'm so pleased to see this topic being addressed in Veterinary Medicine which in my experience has been a field where physical health and safety was largely disregarded let alone psychological health and safety! The industry has a long way to go but this is a great place to start.”
“…That I work in an extremely toxic environment and i need to leave”
“Importance of mental health and self care”
“This webinar made me realize that my workplace is toxic”
“Incredible resources and a safe space to share ideas; well done!”
Trauma, Fear, Discrimination….
Organizational Compassion Fatigue- Pervasive, detrimental workplace culture where, apathy, powerlessness, and hopelessness drains your teamwork and ability to care for yourself, your patients, clients, and your coworkers.
Caregivers Bill of Rights
The Ten Law of Healthy Caregiving
Is the compassion fatigue in your workplace? Not sure… check out https://www.compassionfatigue.org/ for resources
Comprehensive Psychological Health
and Safety Resources
These resources will help you understand more about how to create a psychologically safe and healthy workplace.
Centre of Expertise on Mental Health in the Workplace
Public Services Health and Safety Association
The Canadian National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety
Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Veterinary Team Students Resource
Get in touch.
If you have questions about how to assess the psychological health and safety of your workplace, need advice on how to get started or have questions, we’d love to hear from you.
If you feel overwhelmed or you are in crisis and feel alone, click and reach out for help. You are not alone. There is someone who is there to help you.