MMI offers new training opportunities
The training sessions are free for veterinary professionals to attend,
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) is offering a new series of courses on mental health, wellbeing and workplace culture.
Following feedback from the professions in surveys and consultations, the new courses respond to areas of identified need.
Lisa Quigley, MMI manager, discussed the focus of the new courses: “I am really proud of this new tranche of training.
“Whereas our previous training has focused on the individual experience, for example, mental health awareness and resilience, these new courses recognise that individual instances of poor mental health and wellbeing can often be caused by systemic issues – whether that’s a poor workplace culture where bullying and incivility thrive, or discrimination on account of someone’s protected characteristics.”
The new courses are as follows:
VetLed Civility Training: This course responds to a 2021 survey, which discovered that 96 per cent of student veterinary nurses and recently-qualified veterinary nurses felt that bullying and incivility was a problem in the professions.
Introduction to diversity, equity, inclusion and unconscious bias: Run by The Hobbs Consultancy, this workshop will raise awareness of the challenges in these areas, and provide practical tips on reducing unconscious bias and improving working culture.
Managing stress in a veterinary practice: This course considers the neuroscience of stress, and how the professions can use and react to stress in a positive manner.
Inclusive leadership: This workshop will provide practical tips on how to adopt an inclusive leadership style, and recognise the role of leaders in establishing compassionate and inclusive working environments.
“We’ve already seen an amazing response from the professions to these courses and so thank you to all those who have signed up so far,” Lisa commented.
“Some of our courses are now fully booked and so to those who haven’t yet had the opportunity, rest assured that more dates will be forthcoming.
“I do hope those attending these courses find them useful and we will, of course, be taking on any feedback so that we can continue to develop and improve them as we go along.”
The courses are free to attend, and further information, including details on how to register, can be found here.
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. 
