MMI holding new awareness courses for all members of the veterinary team

The RCVS Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) will be holding two mental health awareness courses in December to help members of the veterinary team better understand mental ill-health and how to intervene if it is affecting colleagues.

The two online courses, which are led by Trevor Bell, an experienced mental health trainer and campaigner, will take place on Tuesday 15 December between 10am and 1pm and Thursday 17 December between 2pm and 5pm. Additional dates will also be released in 2021.

The half-day courses will look at issues such as awareness around the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems; whether members of the team could spot the early warning signs of distress, anxiety and depression amongst colleagues; and whether members of the team feel they would be able to talk to colleagues exhibiting these symptoms.

Lisa Quigley, RCVS Mind Matters Manager, explains: “We recognise that this year has brought additional stresses and strains to both our professional and personal life. As a result, it is extra important that members of the veterinary team look out for one another and are able to recognise when someone may be experiencing mental distress.

“Just like physical health, we all have mental health which affects how we think, feel, and act and that, in any given year, one in four of us will experience some kind of problem with our mental health, with research showing that these numbers are even higher for members of the veterinary team.

“I do hope all members of the veterinary team can take part in this training which, thanks to subsiding from the Mind Matters Initiative, costs just £15 per person.”

Members of the veterinary team can register for either of the training courses by the MMI webpage on upcoming training dates.  

Those with any further questions can contact Lisa Quigley on [email protected]