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We brought together a broad range of speakers, from diverse backgrounds, to share their insights, tips and strategies to promote health and wellbeing. These bite-sized talks, filmed during the symposium, provide an opportunity to hear from people within and outside of our profession about how they tend to their wellbeing. They’re not a substitute for a chat with a GP or mental health professional. But they will provide insights: How did the speakers survive a tough time? What tools do they use to build and maintain resilience? How do they put their health first?
You can watch one at a time or binge them. You may find them thought-provoking, confronting, comforting or at times hilarious. We hope the effect of watching them is like a warm hug. *Any small, suggested change should be able to be summarised in four words; hence the titles of the presentations.
The shocking truth is that this book isn’t about food. It’s a humble attempt to approach the epidemic of mental health issues in our profession by promoting collegiality. It’s about self-care and team-care, oft-undervalued soft skills, resilience and compassion. If you can’t practice what you preach, if you can’t (or won’t) work to maintain your own wellbeing, you – we, us – can’t do your best work, and you might even cause harm.
Introduction Foreward The Bad Doctor – Ian Williams It’s just a job – Louis Profeta Am I just a vet? – Amanda Lee Charman Resilience pie – Belinda Parsons The importance of tribe – Brian McErlean Looking back – John Dooley Develop and practice a good program of self-care – David Foote Beating perfectionism together – Monique Crane Music and the connection with mental health – Mike Woodham The movement movement – Deepa Gopinath It’s the little things that make you happy – Cathy Warburton It’s not just about the patients – Jim Euclid
Abstract: Findings on both the health benefits and the potentially harmful effects of coffee consumption have been contradictory. However, the general scientific consensus is that moderate, regular coffee drinking by healthy individuals is either essentially benign or mildly beneficial. Read more in this article..
Need a bit more sunshine in your day?
Contributed by Karen Teasdale
Enjoy Karen’s Coconut Lime Shortbread and Choc Ginger Horses' Heads recipes.
Download recipe here
The Mental Wellness Symposium was an absolute success. I particularly liked the science behind good sleep, and how important sleep is. All the speakers really did speak from the heart, and it should give any delegate the confidence and reassurance that every vet experiences some form of moral stress, compassion fatigue (along with many other topics covered) and that you are not alone. What an uplifting and positive conference, highly recommended for every veterinarian. Dr Peter Shaw
This issue was dedicated to wellbeing for the profession. Open access, it allowed some of our presenters from the MWVTS as well as other contributors to reach a wide audience. Peruse the Table of Contents here
If you have any feedback to provide on the Mental Wellbeing Hub, or any stories, articles or resources you'd like to share with others please email [email protected]
Thanks to Brian McErlean, Angela Phillips and Rosanne Taylor for their input in compiling these resources.
Supporters and Sponsors A big thanks to both our corporate sponsors who assisted with the funding of the Vet Cookbook and to our supporters at every Australasian Veterinary Medicine School who spread the word far and wide to staff, students, alumni and community supporters.