Two CABMM members are part of the Mental Health Team of the Vetsuisse Faculty Zurich
The World Health Organization characterizes mental health as a “state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” (“Mental health”.World Health Organization).
Veterinary medicine students are proven to be confronted with major challenges to their mental health. The likelihood of suffering from mental illnesses such as depression, burnout, permanent stress, or others, which can even lead to suicide, is remarkably high not just in recent years.
To raise awareness and encourage open discussion of these challenges already at an early stage, the Mental Health Team was formed within the Vetsuisse Faculty's Steering Committee for Academic Career Development and Mentoring.
We are proud that two of our CABMM members are part of the team: our longstanding CABMM Steering Committee member Prof. Annette Liesegang (Institute of Animal Nutrition) and Prof. Enni Markkanen (Institute of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology). Further team members are Prof. Thomas Lutz (Vice Dean Teaching), Dr. Hanna Marti (Institute of Veterinary Pathology), Lena Wiget (student representative), and two representatives of the HappyVetProject at the Tierspital Zürich.
The mental health team pursues the following three main objectives:
1. Promoting the exchange of information on mental health
2. Integration of the topic in the bachelor's curriculum
3. Establishment and support of a peer mentoring group
We wish the mental health team every success in these important tasks!
More information can be found here:
VetsuisseNews
Academic Career Development and Mentoring