MMI and BSAVA to launch emotional resilience courses

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Mind Matters Initiative and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) are set to launch emotional resilience courses, with the first course taking place in November this year.

Titled ‘Emotional Resilience for the Veterinary Team’, the one-day courses are free to BSAVA members and are designed to equip participants with an understanding of the role emotional resilience plays in protecting mental wellbeing.

Part one of the course focuses on emotional resilience, particularly within the veterinary professions. Part two of the course focuses on the life skills of “highly resilient” people including listening, using strategy to solve problems, managing emotions, building social capital and knowing how to access help.

Sue Paterson, president, BSAVA, said: “BSAVA has worked closely with RCVS and Mind Matters Initiative for several years and the new resilience courses are the next phase in this area of focus.

“It is essential to give all members of the veterinary practice the tools to develop resilience in themselves and to support each other and we are delighted BSAVA is able to provide these courses for our members and for the wider veterinary profession.”

Lisa Quigley, initiative manager, RCVS Mind Matters, added: “Emotional resilience is mainly a learned behaviour, however our level of resilience is not static, and we can take steps to increase our resilience and reduce our risk of developing mental health issues including clinical depression.

“This new programme is suitable for anyone who wishes to increase their own resilience and develop the ability to help others at work or at home.”