In aid of Vetlife, a group of veterinary surgeons, nurses, pharmacist and PCAs from Cromwell Veterinary Group, Cambridgeshire, are taking on ‘The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge’. This challenge is a 24 mile route that takes on Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m), to be accomplished in 12 hours.

Vetlife’s aim is to create a veterinary community with high levels of physical and mental wellbeing. They support this aim by providing help to the veterinary community and their families who have emotional, health or financial concerns, whilst seeking ways to prevent such situations in the future. The three main services Vetlife provides are a 24hour helpline, health support and financial support.

The veterinary community continues to experience significantly higher levels of depression and suicide than the general population. Veterinarians are three to four times more likely to die from suicide than the general public. A study from 2012 on veterinary mental health showed that participants were too ashamed and felt guilty to share their struggles and 75.5% would rather remain silent than let anyone know of their suffering. Nearly 70% of veterinarians have lost a colleague to suicide. And the statistics go on, highlighting the mental health crisis the industry is currently facing.

By promoting Vetlife, we promote to friends, families, colleagues and clients, that we are more predisposed to ill mental health due to the critical paradox, emotional and physical distress, complaints, long hours.. and the list goes on! We also remind peers that it’s ok not to be ok and seek help.

Please support us and help support the veterinary community.

(Pictured: Abby, Emma, Katy, Katy, Michelle, Charlie and Polly)

Update: Completed in 11hrs 40mins