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Sarah Brown Mental Health Grant opens for applications
£20,000 research grant now open for applications.
Grant set up in memory of beloved vet now in fifth year.

The 2023 Sarah Brown Mental Health Grant has opened for applications.

Offered by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), the £20,000 grant is available for veterinary mental health researchers to apply for. 

Set up in memory of veterinary surgeon, RCVS Council member and mental health campaigner Sarah Brown, the grant has been awarded annual since 2019. Five research projects have benefitted from the funding, all focussing on different aspects of veterinary mental health.

These projects have covered topics such as the effectiveness of online Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) for veterinarian self-criticism and perfectionism, neurodiversity, wellbeing amongst isolated farm vets, the impact of racism on mental health, and the impact of moral injury on mental wellbeing.

Lisa Quigley, MMI manager, said: “The grant is open to anyone with a relevant research idea, whether that be a highly experienced researcher, or someone just starting out in their career. All applications are anonymised and will be judged based on their quality, originality and relevance to the profession.” 

All topics relevant to veterinary mental health will be considered, although those in line with the original aim of the grants and the strategic aims of the Mind Matters Initiative will be given particular interest. The themes and topics include:

  •  veterinary suicide
  •  those with a strong focus on mental health, rather than wellbeing/wellness
  •  veterinary nurses, veterinary nursing students, and non-veterinary members of the practice team
  •  understanding experiences of minoritised groups within the veterinary team
  •  projects led by those who typically receive fewer opportunities in academia.

Lisa continued: “Over the past four years, we have been fortunate to support some truly fantastic research projects within the veterinary mental health sphere. 

“Sarah was a strong mental health and wellbeing advocate with a particular passion for ensuring that those working in the veterinary professions were confident, happy, resilient and well supported. 

“We are grateful to Sarah’s family for giving us their blessing and support to help continue her legacy through the Sarah Brown Mental Health Research Grant.”

Further information on the research grant can be found on the Mind Matters website, along with a downloadable application form. Applications should be sent to Lisa Quigley on l.quigley@rcvs.org.uk by 5pm on Wednesday 31 May 2023.

Lisa added: “Mental health research is of vital importance, both in theory and practice, and forms a vital part of our work at MMI. Our past projects have already proven to have real tangible benefits to veterinary teams and we look forward to seeing how our research projects will continue to drive positive change in the future.”

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.