One Nation politician Sarah Game has succeeded in her mission to establish a joint committee to address the mental health of SA veterinarians.
Watched by the founders of the charity Sophie’s Legacy, the SA Legislative Council in November passed Dr Game’s motion to form the new committee, dedicated to investigating, identifying and addressing the root causes of the alarming state of veterinarian’s mental health in South Australia.
A vet when elected to the Legislative Council in 2022, Dr Game spoke passionately about her first-hand experiences while introducing the motion to the Upper House earlier in 2024 – and has since teamed up with Sophie’s Legacy, formed by the family of SA vet, Dr Sophie Putland, who took her own life aged just 33, in 2021.
Dr Game will chair the committee, which also includes Member for MacKillop Nick McBride, along with other politicians Nicola Centofanti, Nadia Clancy, Mira El Dannawi and Adrian Pederick.
She said the biggest sources of concern regarding veterinarians’ mental health were long working hours, financial stress and overwhelming workloads and pressure.
Dr Game said the joint committee’s key focuses would include suicide rates, toxic work environments, workforce shortages and financial realities.
“A 2020 Monash University study showed that veterinarians have twice the suicide rate of other health professionals, and that 70% of vets have lost a colleague or peer to suicide. It also showed that around six in 10 vets have sought professional care for their mental health,” she said.
“International studies show the suicide rate among veterinarians is four times higher than the general population.”
Dr Game said an AVA survey showed 88% of veterinarians attribute poor mental health to a toxic work environment, due to customer abuse and unrealistic expectations, while the survey also revealed that chronic understaffing was causing 58% of vets to experience fatigue, exacerbating mental health issues.
“Vets earn an average of $73,000 – less than high school teachers,” she said.
“A 2021 SA study shows around 36% of vets work 41-50 hours a week at an annual wage of $60,000 to $80,000.”
Dr Game said findings of the Joint Committee would inform recommendations aimed at the government, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions.
“I anticipate these recommendations will require genuine government investment in improving the lives of veterinarians,” she said.
“This may include policy changes, funding initiatives and educational programs tailored to address veterinarian health and wellbeing, plus the repercussions of the current situation.
“This investigation will be crucial to understanding the current state of the veterinarian workforce in South Australia and charting a course towards a more sustainable industry.”
Dr Game previously told her parliamentary colleagues of feeling like “an absolute failure” with her self-esteem at “an all-time low” after just a few years of entering the veterinarian workforce.
She also spoke of working all night while on-call at one of her first practices for just $30, then being expected back at work at 7.30am.
“Back then, my anxiety (was) through the roof,” she said.
“I am so lucky to be able to stand here today having survived my experience in the veterinary profession.
“Many have lost their lives; astounding potential within the profession and outside gone forever from the community.”
Dr Game also acknowledged the impact of Sophie’s Legacy, founded by Sophie Putland’s family, including her parents Gary and Kate.
“Sophie’s Legacy, to my knowledge, has done more to help activate awareness and demand real change than has been seen before in this profession,” she said.
“Gary and Kate have a deep understanding of the challenges of this profession, and I have sought their advice and feedback on the terms of reference, as well as looking at interstate and federal examples.”