May is Mental Health Month

From all indications, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic and now, coming out of that stress and anxiety, the mental health issues in our country continue to plague us. Deaths of despair like suicide and drug overdoses are sadly rising. This state of affairs is unquestionably one of the most concerning items in the news, and we are daily reminded of it in the news outlets. How much worse can it get, we often ask. We are advised and rightly so, to watch out for our neighbors, the folks we work with or go to school with and our own families, to see signs of depression and to help them in any way possible. A good source of information in this regard is our local health departments. If you are struggling or if you want to help someone who is, they have resources to point you in the right direction for assistance. Mental health used to be a taboo issue that many would sweep under the rug, but we discovered that this approach only makes things worse and can end tragically. There is no shame if you have personal battles. Reach out for help.

From my perspective as a veterinarian, I daily have conversations with my clients about their pets and the emotional benefits Max and Kitty deliver to them. I am convinced of the tremendous good impact pets can have on our lives and on our mental well-being. The human-animal bond is one of the strongest connections known. Some equate it with family bonds because of the unconditional love our pets seem to give.

Recently the American Veterinary Medical Association teamed up with the American Psychiatric Association to call attention to the mental health benefits of having an animal companion. In conjunction with the campaign, the APA released results from a new national poll about mental health and pets. 86% of pet owners said their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. Dog owners and cat owners were equally likely to say so. A USA Today article dated 4-14-23 called America’s love of pets “legendary.”  The American Kennel Club said the number of US households with at least one dog increased during the pandemic. As people spend more time at home, they are willing to get a pet, knowing they have the time to care for and enjoy them.

Are pets the ultimate return on investment? 82% of 1500 pet owners say their pet brings them the most happiness out of everything they spend money on. Pets are seen as the source of unconditional love for many. And I see many “working” pets in practice. The emotional support animal, whether they are certified or the owner has labeled it so, are a source of support that is rarely matched by anything else for that person. Animal-assisted therapy has also played an important role in the treatment of mental illness and developmental disorders and in the promotion of mental well-being.

Rebecca Brendel, MD, and president of the APA, released this statement on March 1: “People recognize that there is something special about bonds between humans and their pets. The animals we bring into our lives and our families play many roles from non-judgmental companions that we love to key partners in reducing our stress and anxiety. Americans clearly recognize that our relationships with our pets can have noticeable benefits for our overall mental health.”

I’ll celebrate Mental Health Month in May by doing a daily personal checkup on my own state of mind and engaging with my staff at the vet hospital on how they are feeling when they come to work. Don’t neglect yourself or the people you love this month by ignoring them and any issues they may be dealing with. Communicate, talk with them and point them to resources if they need help. It may be the best advice they can hear today.

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988
• Ripley County Health Department: 812-689-5751
• Dearborn County Health Department: 812-537-8826

Submitted by Harley Robinson, DVM