Optometry Australia (OA) has just completed a month-long bid to highlight concerns about mental health and wellbeing within optometry through a push up challenge.

OA said between January 2018 and December 2021, 16 practitioners tragically took their own lives while involved in regulatory processes or investigations, and an additional four practitioners attempted suicide or engaged in self-harming behaviours.

The disturbing statistics were contained in a report from an expert advisory group released earlier this year by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).

OA said the report adds to data obtained in late 2019 when a team of researchers from Queensland University of Technology conducted a “large, cross-sectional survey of Australian optometrists, using well-established mental health scales”.

“The results they found listed prevalence of depression and anxiety and moderate to severe psychological distress at 31%. Prevalence of high burnout was 56% and optometrists aged ≤ 30 years were 3.5 times more likely to report moderate to severe psychological distress compared to optometrists aged >30 years,” OA said.

OA said the data underscores the pressing need for increased mental health support within the Australian optometry sector.

PUSH UP TO RAISE AWARENESS

To raise awareness and money for the crisis support service Lifeline, OA urged the eye health community to participate in the Push Up Challenge throughout June. The aim was to complete 3,144 push-ups over the month.

Each of the 3,144 push-ups represents an Australian who lost their life to suicide in 2021.

OA’s Chief Clinical Officer, Luke Arundel, said the goal was to break down some of the stigma of talking about mental health while raising funds for the crisis support organisation, Lifeline.

“By collectively addressing mental health challenges, the optometry sector can work towards creating a resilient and supportive professional community,” he stated.

BEYOND THE CHALLENGE

Beyond the June awareness initiative, OA provides a range of services to assist members in maintaining their mental health. This includes a Member Assistance Program, which is a free and confidential service, enabling members to access up to three coaching and counselling sessions over a 12-month period.

A series of webcasts and podcasts has also been developed to address burnout and mental health. Other resources include a Mental Health First Aid Course, designed to help members recognise and appropriately triage patients suffering from mental health issues into appropriate care.

“Finally, the Optometry Advisor Help Desk is available to support its members with complex issues – from Ahpra investigations to Medicare audits, medico issues to major sector change,” OA said in a news release. The Help Desk provides confidential, independent advice.