Vet professionals invited to mental health training
The course will be held on 7-8 March 2024.
The Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) will host a two-day mental health first aid training course for veterinary professionals in Nottingham in March.
Providing a qualification in Mental Health First Aid, the in-person course will look at how to identify signs of poor mental health in others, how to direct people to appropriate support, and how to confidently begin conversations about mental health.
The training, provided in collaboration with Mental Health First Aid England, will take place at Antenna, Nottingham on Thursday, 7 March 2024 and Friday, 8 March 2024. It will cost £80 per person.
Any member of the veterinary profession can attend, including veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, practice managers, receptionists, and students.
The MMI was set up by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015 to improve mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary sector by providing training and resources.
Angharad Belcher, Advancement of the Professions and MMI director, said: “Having worked with Mental Health First Aid England in the past to provide these valuable training courses, we are really pleased to see the network of veterinary Mental Health First Aiders continue to grow, particularly in more rural areas where access to mental health support is often more difficult to come by.
“The aim is to create a ripple effect, whereby Mental Health First Aiders within the veterinary community can then support others to feel confident in speaking out about how they feel and to reach out for appropriate support if required.”
Places on the course can be booked on the MMI website.
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Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
