University veterinary students are pounding the pavement to raise money for mental illnesses such as depression, which is chronically overrepresented in the vet profession.
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The finish line is almost in sight for the Charles Sturt University students, who have been going on daily runs throughout the month of May to fundraise for the Black Dog Institute.
They have already smashed their target by a wide margin having raised $5800, a considerable amount more than their initial goal of $1000.
During this month they have also sparked several heart-to-heart conversations between one another during their walks and runs.
First year vet science student Zoe McDonald said it was an issue close to all of their hearts, since many people at the campus had been touched directly or indirectly by suicide.
"There's been a number of past CSU grads who have committed suicides in the last couple of years in particular. You can talk to the staff here and everyone knows someone who has," Ms McDonald said.
"We're choosing to go into this profession and we want to change it for the better now. For our own mental health, exercise is important, especially when we're studying long hours."
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Fourth year student Lucy Irish said she had family members who faced mental health problems in their own lives.
She also has several friends in her course who have been doing it tough lately, and she has been talking with them during their runs.
Ms Irish said she knows that her profession of choice can be a mentally tough one at times, and that she wanted people to be equipped for the hardships ahead.
"Vets put a lot of pressure on themselves, taking on the mental, physical, and emotional burden that comes with each case," Ms Irish.
"If the outcome isn't what they're hoping for, you've got your patient to worry about but then you've got the clients. There's so many of people you need to be giving to, and sometimes you run out.
"I know burnout, both emotional, physical, all of it is such a big part of vet science."
If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
