BVNA Mental Health Toolkit
Are you struggling with your mental health? If the answer is yes, then you are definitely not alone. Many people find it very difficult to talk about their mental health, but we hope that our toolkit, filled with resources, books, downloadables, signposting links and personal stories, will encourage you to share how you’re feeling. You might even find that you inspire someone else to do the same!
Please take the time to read through and explore this page at your own pace. Some of the content is challenging, but we hope that sharing stories openly will start conversations, and may resonate with your own experiences. We’ve included trigger warnings where applicable.
If you feel you need to talk to someone, there is a list of resources at the bottom of the page that you may find helpful.
Blogs
Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace
In this blog from Park House Veterinary Centre in Stafford, Chloe, a Student Veterinary Nurse, shares how we can promote positive mental health within the workplace.
Webinars
Thank you to Roo The Mojo Coach for providing this webinar.
Thank you to Roo The Mojo Coach for providing this webinar.
Thank you to Dr Rosie Allister and Vetlife for providing this webinar.
Thank you to Dr Rosie Allister and Vetlife for providing this webinar.
Our Profession, My Resilience – A campfire on resilience and wellbeing
Podcasts
BVNA Mental Health Podcast – Declan Jones and Tamsin Durston – Part One
During this first podcast, BVNA Council Member Declan Jones chats with Tamsin Durston RVN about their career paths, dealing with emotions and challenging situations as an RVN, recognising mental health in other people and how best to help them.
BVNA Mental Health Podcast – Declan Jones and Tamsin Durston – Part Two
During this second podcast, BVNA Council Member Declan Jones chats with Tamsin Durston RVN about imposter syndrome.
BVNA Mental Health Podcast – Declan Jones and Tamsin Durston – Part Three
During this third podcast, BVNA Council Member Declan Jones and Tamsin Durston RVN re-visit dealing with challenging situations as an RVN.
Downloads
You may wish to print this poster and put it somewhere prominent in your workplace, as a reminder to yourself and colleagues of how to look after your own mental health, as well as how to recognise signs you may be struggling and where to seek support.
Personal Stories
In this blog, Becky discusses her journey with her physical and mental health, which included a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.
*Trigger Warning – Disability, Mental Health, Workplace Bullying, Suicide, Self Harming and Alcohol Abuse.
Bonnie discusses how loss and bereavement have impacted her mental health. She also tells us how sharing her experiences of pregnancy loss has led to changes in policies in her workplace.
*Trigger Warning – Pregnancy Loss, Bereavement, Suicide and Mental Health.
Rachel discusses how trauma and a breast cancer diagnosis led to paving a new career path, in coaching and mental health support for the veterinary profession.
*Trigger Warning – Divorce, Single Mum, Mental Health and Breast Cancer.
This blog covers an RVN’s journey with mental health and anorexia. They discuss how, through initially approaching their mental health first aider, their practice were able to help them.
*Trigger Warning – Anorexia, Depression, Anxiety and Mental Health.
Lucy shares her experiences with both mental and physical health conditions, including how she now promotes accessibility within the veterinary profession and wider society.
*Trigger Warning – Mental Health, Disability, Depression, Anxiety, Neurodiversity, Workplace Bullying, Functional Neurological Disorder, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Wheelchair User.
Kate discusses her journey with mental health which included a diagnosis with ADHD. She tells us how she has learned to embrace self-care, and also encourage it in those around her.
*Trigger Warning – Anxiety, Depression, Alcohol Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts, Feeling Alone, Mental Health, Stress, Verbal Abuse, Neurodiversity and ADHD.
In this blog, Lauryn discusses her journey with mental health and anxiety. She tells us how her workplace have been very understanding and supportive throughout, with an allocated wellbeing group where communication is encouraged.
*Trigger Warning – Anxiety, Depression and Mental Health.
Books
- Emotional Wellbeing for Animal Welfare Professionals – Tamsin Durston
- Mental Wellbeing and Positive Psychology for Veterinary Professionals – Laura Woodward
- Self Care Journals
Signposting
For emergency support
If you need immediate and urgent help:
- Call 999 for an ambulance
- Go straight to A&E, if you can
- Call your local crisis team – you can find an urgent mental health helpline on the NHS website
General resources
- St John’s Ambulance
- Local Council Mental Health Services
- Hub of Hope
- Support Line – Emotional Support
- National Bullying Helpline
- Talk Works
Promoting mental wellbeing
Mental health in the workplace
- BVNA Members Advisory Service
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
- RCVS Mind Matters Initiative
- Vet Led
- British Veterinary Association – Good Workplaces
- Veterinary Woman
- VIN Foundation (Vets 4 Vets)
- Acas
- American Animal Hospital Association – Free Mental Health Resource for Veterinary Staff
- Mental Health First Aiders England
Addiction and alcohol/substance abuse
- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Drink Line
- NHS Alcohol Support
- We are with you (Alcohol Abuse Support)
- SMART Recovery
Pregnancy, miscarriage and baby loss
Pain and physical health
- BVNA Chronic Illness Toolkit
- British Veterinary Chronic Illness Support
- Breast Cancer Now
- Cancer Research UK
- Macmillan Cancer Support
- Multiple Sclerosis Trust
- Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
- Functional Neurologic Disorder Action
- Functional Neurologic Disorder Hope
- Functional Neurologic Disorder Friends
- The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
- Pain UK
Eating disorders
We will be updating this toolkit periodically with additional stories and resources. If you would like to share your own story or if there is anything further you would like to see in the toolkit, please contact us at bvna@bvna.co.uk.