Vet professionals encouraged to become Mental Health First Aiders
There is a course for all in the veterinary profession, and one for those in Northern Ireland.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is inviting more veterinary professionals to become Mental Health First Aiders as part of its Mind Matters Initiative (MMI).
MMI will be providing two different courses, which will both be presented online in October.
The first course, which is delivered and certified by Mental Health First Aid England, is open for all within the veterinary profession. There is also another course specifically for those living or working in Northern Ireland, which is being delivered by the Northern Irish charity Aware.
MMI aims to introduce new courses specifically for those in Scotland or Wales in early 2025.
The courses are designed to provide attendees with the skills they need to recognise signs of poor mental health, improve mental health literacy and advise how to give first-level support.
Those who complete the course will be certified Mental Health First Aiders. They will receive a digital three-year Mental Health First Aider Certificate, a digital reference manual and access to the Mental Health First Aider Support app for three years.
Both of these courses run for two full days, across Tuesday, 8 October and Tuesday, 15 October. They are open to all in the veterinary profession, including veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, students, receptionists and practice managers.
Rapinder Newton, MMI lead, said: “The course is ideal for individuals looking to gain the knowledge and skills to spot signs of people experiencing poor mental health, to be confident in starting a conversation with someone who might be struggling, and to learn how to signpost to appropriate support.
“As our network of veterinary Mental Health First Aiders continues to grow, we are proud to see the impact that is being had – the more veterinary professionals we can support to become Mental Health First Aiders, the more people will be able to easily access support as and when they need it most.”
Both courses are partially subsidised by MMI, and cost £95 per person for the two days. Those interested can register on the MMI events page, or the Eventbrite pages for the open course and the Northern Ireland course, before 10 September or when the courses become full.
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
