Utah State University (USU) professors Michael Twohig and Michael Levin are co-investigators on a groundbreaking $2.25 million study funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The study aims to introduce Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training to veterinary students to address the mental health challenges facing the veterinary profession.
The four-year study, led by professors at Kent State University, will develop and implement an ACT-based training program for veterinary students. ACT is a form of psychotherapy that combines acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based strategies to help individuals manage difficult thoughts and emotions. The goal is to teach veterinary students to handle the stress and burnout common in their field, helping them better engage in their work despite emotional challenges.
Veterinary professionals face high levels of stress, and studies show that suicide rates in the profession are three times the national average. Additionally, 66% of veterinary professionals report a history of depression. Given these statistics, the mental health of veterinary professionals, particularly students, is a critical concern.
Twohig and Levin, both experts in ACT, have been working together for years to research and disseminate ACT interventions for various populations, including those with chronic health conditions, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling). Their expertise in ACT and its applications has made them global leaders in the field.
The collaboration for this study began when Twohig met professors Mary Beth Spitznagel and Alanna Updegraff at Kent State University in 2018. They discussed adapting ACT to help veterinary students cope with stress and burnout. The result was “Unburdened,” a program designed to reduce stress in veterinary professionals by teaching them how to manage difficult interactions with clients. This new grant will expand the program to veterinary students, giving them access to online training modules that teach them how to respond to the challenging emotional encounters they will face in their careers.
The study will recruit 200 veterinary students from five institutions across the U.S. Half of the participants will be working toward certification as veterinary technicians, and the other half will be working toward a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. The students will complete three training modules, each taking about 30 minutes. These modules will teach students to recognize “burden transfer”—when pet owners transfer their emotional burdens onto the veterinary team—and help them develop the ACT skills necessary to respond effectively to these emotional challenges.
The program will be delivered as a self-guided online course, allowing students to complete it outside of the classroom. Pre- and post-surveys will measure the mental health of participants to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in improving their well-being and reducing stress.
The ACT Research Group’s partnership with Kent State University reflects a commitment to addressing the mental health challenges faced by veterinary professionals. The hope is that by equipping students with the skills to handle emotional stress early in their careers, the program will contribute to long-term improvements in mental health and job satisfaction within the veterinary field.
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