Exploration of mental health stigma in veterinary teams in the United States before and after evidence-based psychoeducation for burden transfer.

Background: High rates of psychological distress are present in veterinary healthcare professionals and elevated mental health stigma in the field may underlie psychological treatment reluctance. A psychoeducational programme designed to reduce distress associated with difficult veterinary client behaviours (i.e., 'burden transfer') showed reduced stress and burnout in veterinary teams. We hypothesised that exposure to this psychoeducation could also yield reduced mental health stigma.

Methods: Data from 143 veterinary healthcare professionals who were randomised to intervention (n = 72) or control (n = 71) groups were examined. Intervention participants completed three weekly 1-h psychoeducation sessions. Mental health stigma was assessed at pre-test, post-test and 1-month follow-up.

Results: Psychoeducation decreased mental health stigma in the intervention group relative to controls (β = ‒0.28, p = 0.009). The participants in this study self-selected to enroll; thus, the results may reflect attitudes of individuals who were more psychologically open at baseline.

Conclusion: Exposure to evidence-based psychoeducation, to reduce burden transfer, reduced mental health stigma in veterinary teams.