MMI supports vets becoming Mental Health First Aid Champions
The MMI is particularly encouraging those in ambulatory or rural work to sign up.
The RCVS’ Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has announced that they will subsidise courses for veterinary professionals training to become Mental Health First Aid Champions.
The MMI will partially subsidise courses run by Mental Health First Aid England, which offers guidance and training to support mental health in the workplace and beyond.
The courses will run next January, with the first session taking place on 9 January and the second on 11 January. The sessions, which are open to anyone in the veterinary profession, will take place online from 9.00am-5.00pm at a discounted cost of £40 per person.
The courses trains delegates with an understanding of common mental health issues, and the abilities to identify signs of mental ill health. It also teaches trainees how to advocate for mental health awareness and support wellbeing.
While the courses are open for colleagues across the veterinary industry, the MMI is particularly encouraging those who work in ambulatory work or rural areas to get involved.
This follows MMI research, conducted by Scotland’s Rural College, which explored the unique challenges faced by those in rural or ambulatory veterinary work. The research found that these difficulties are often emphasised by working alone or with limited contact with colleagues.
The MMI hopes that their subsidisation will provide those working in these fields with the knowledge to take care of their own mental health, as well as demonstrating how they can support friends and colleagues.
Angharad Belcher, Advancement of the Professions and Mind Matters director, said: “We have been working alongside Mental Health First Aid for a couple of years now to provide subsidised training for the veterinary professions and have received fantastic feedback.
“This day long training session will help people to gain an understanding of what mental health is and how to challenge stigma, to gain the knowledge and confidence to advocate or mental health awareness, provide them with the ability to spot the signs of mental ill health and the skills to support positive wellbeing, as well as give people the confidence to support someone who is in distress or may be experiencing a mental health issue.”
For more information, or to book your place, visit the MMI training page.
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RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.
