The word “cognizant” means to have knowledge or come to a place of self-awareness gained through personal experience.

 

But for Maggie Rose Macar, the word also has special significance.

As the Founder and CEO of a new tech startup called zant., she is no stranger to becoming more cognizant and aware of mental health struggles. At just 19 years old, she lost a close friend to suicide. Since that time, Macar has witnessed firsthand just how difficult it can be to access affordable, timely, and personalized mental health services.

 

Recognizing this void, the entrepreneur created zant.

 

She explains:

“With over twenty-five niche categories to choose from and over one-thousand providers currently enduring a rigorous onboarding process, zant. is revolutionizing the provider and patient experience by streamlining its features to find a provider, schedule, and manage payment.”

 

Now, Vet Candy is teaming up with zant. to increase awareness for the veterinary community to access affordable mental health services.

We talked to Maggie about why mental health is so important (and underserved) in the veterinarian community, and also learned how zant. provides the support veterinarians need.

 

The Startling Truth About the Veterinary Mental Health Crisis

 

Cute kittens and playful puppies – that’s the part of the job veterinarians love!

However, vet med isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, a dark shadow has been on the horizon of the field for decades. Right now, we are at a crisis point.

The issue?

Mental health and wellbeing.

The decline in veterinary professionals’ mental health is no longer a secret. Statistics from a research study carried out by Merck Animal Health (MAH) show that 9.1% of veterinarians suffer from poor well-being, with a noticeably higher frequency of distress among both female and younger veterinarians.

From stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout to depression and chronic anxiety about their patients, career growth, student debt, etc., those who work with animals are the first to offer a helping hand, but unfortunately often the last to receive one.

In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine, “The rate of suicide in the veterinary profession has been pegged as 4 times the rate in the general population.”

Thankfully, having an open dialogue about these problems is becoming easier. Rather than bottling up mental health issues, innovators like Maggie Rose are finding ways to tackle mental health roadblocks.

And yes…even save lives.

 

How Can zant. Help?

 

No matter how big or small your mental health struggle is, know that it matters.

Together, Vet Candy and zant. are eager to connect the animal community with qualified counselors and mental health professionals.

 

How does it work?

Conversations are carried out via in-app video or by phone call.

 

Maggie shares, “With zant., finding the right fit has never been easier. With the ability to choose tags associated with your current experience and struggle, easily sort and favorite providers that match your needs, and schedule an always FREE first consultation with no roadblocks or headaches.”

Maggie Rose knows that your best work happens when roadblocks stay out of the way.

So, she encourages you to be the best veterinarian “paw-sibile” by taking care of your mental health with zant.!