Episode 14: Dr. Meenal Agarwal – The Loud Truth About Mental Health in Optometry: Breaking the Silence on the Invisible Struggle

DISCLAIMER: This episode mentions mental illness and sensitive topics such as suicide. Please listen with care.

As healthcare professionals, we spend most of our time focusing on the well-being of others, but how often do we consider our own? In this episode of Optometry Unleashed, Dr. Meenal Agarwal from Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal speaks candidly about her personal journey with anxiety and the immense pressure optometrists face day to day. She sheds light on urgency culture, setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, and intentionally making space to support one another in the healthcare industry.

Timestamps

[00:02:31] Meenal’s journey to optometry

[00:03:26] Launching Uncover Your Eyes

[00:07:45] First panic attack and managing anxiety

[00:12:23] The importance of open open conversations

[00:14:50] Stigma around mental health

[00:16:48] Staying present with patients

[00:18:11] Balancing the positive and negative

[00:22:05] Urgency culture and setting boundaries

[00:26:00] Learning from mistakes

[00:29:00] Busyness and taking breaks

[00:35:36] Checking in with your team

[00:38:27] Better One or Better Two

[00:40:44] Connecting mental health with eye conditions

[00:45:42] Getting a good night’s sleep

[00:48:14] Advice for people struggling with mental health

[00:50:54] How Trevor stays positive

Mentioned in this episode:

• CDC study on health workers and mental health
• Uncover Your Eyes with Dr. Meenal: Apple Podcast | Spotify

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help.

Call or text 9-8-8 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more resources, visit www.cmha.ca.

Subscribe for the latest updates from Optometry Unleashed at ⁠⁠www.optometryunleashed.ca/newsletter⁠⁠.

Thank You to our Sponsor(s)

⁠⁠⁠⁠HOYA Vision Canada⁠⁠⁠⁠

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