Navigating conversations around suicide and the impact of social media
***Trigger Warning***
It is important to note that this podcast discusses the
sensitive subject of veterinary mental health and suicide. If you feel affected by any of this, please contact Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or via email: https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/
Rosie Allister and James Russell bring their wealth of
experience alongside evidence-based information about how best to talk about suicide within the veterinary profession both broadly on social media and when
engaging with vulnerable individuals.
Robyn Lowe BSc(Hons), Dip AVN, Dip HE CVN, RVN talks to James Russell BVetMed FRCVS, president of Vetlife and Rosie Allister BSc(Hons) BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS. Rosie has extensive experience in veterinary mental health research and its implementation, including suicide prevention and postvention. She is also the Consulting Manager for Vetlife Helpline and has 20 years of experience working with Samaritans.
We discuss the importance of talking to an
individual who is experiencing mental distress about whether they want to end their life, and how by being caring and supportive in how we approach this, makes it a safe and positive thing to do.
We also talk about the impact of posting comments involving suicide online, though unintentional it can be actively damaging and may be causal to additional subsequent suicidal behaviour.
We explain the evidence base behind what is being shared
online, and discuss how improving how and what is shared can be protective for veterinary mental health and suicide.
So, how can we talk about suicide safely? Because it is so
important to talk about it! We need to be conscious of what language we use and be careful not to minimise the cause to one specific factor. Suicide is complex and nuanced. Oversimplifying it can be linked to deaths that would not
otherwise have happened.
We need to focus on where help can be found and that THERE IS HOPE.
Join us in this fascinating and educational podcast to learn
how we can support and protect vulnerable individuals who may be affected by what we post online and by the media in ways that may not be easily foreseen.
For further support following this podcast, please see the
following mental health support links:
Vetlife:
https://helpline.vetlife.org.uk/
Samaritans:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwq_G1BhCSARIsACc7NxqOIOLmy34y3B3NcHxrJ4ff8XnjKLSYF1NDaSPsvoHe-Aq1_GC7PZcaAitZEALw_wcB
--------
44:18
An introspective discussion about EDI in the veterinary profession
Navaratnam Partheeban BVM&S BSc MRCVS OBE, (known as Theeb), co-founder British Veterinary Ethnicity and Diversity Society (BVEDS) brings a varied background of clinical farm practice and industry including research and pharmaceuticals and a wealth of knowledge and fascination with equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the veterinary profession, alongside our very own Ami Sawran BVSc PgCertVPS CertAVP(CP) PhD FRCVS making this a must-listen podcast!
Join us as we reflect on what EDI really means, and the importance of personal introspection to consider our individual privileges and barriers to then appreciate the privileges and barriers of those around us, and how they may affect equality, diversity and inclusivity of the veterinary profession.
Though the veterinary profession and agricultural sector is improving, we are still a very un-diverse population, which needs to be recognised. We discuss simple inclusive language changes as well as easy ways to connect with clients, particularly on farm or in ambulatory practice, a technique that can help minimise the differences we may otherwise have.
Sexism is still the most reported type of discrimination both across the board and in veterinary practice, despite the feminisation of the workforce. We talk about how this can be prevented through communication, self-education and allyship. Allyship can mean different things in different scenarios. It may not always be safe to speak out, but small changes with trusted peers and loved ones, conversations with clients and good leadership are some of them. Tune in to find out more!
Want to know more? Check out the Agdiversity online awareness course for EDI by following this link:
https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity
--------
45:47
Collaboration Vs compliance on farms
Join good friends Danny Chambers and Gwen Rees BVSc(Hons) PhD MRCVS, chatting about her fascinating PhD into the sociology of what happens on farms after treatment plans and medications are dispensed, and the reasons compliance may not always be met. By understanding these factors and implementing change, might we improve compliance, animal welfare and antimicrobial stewardship?
Gwen presents the evidence towards empathetic collaboration, how veering away from a paternalistic culture between both government and vet/ vet and farmer can provide a tailored treatment plan that fits the context of individual farms.
Through jovial self-reflection we tackle the topic of ‘main character syndrome.’ Are we as vets more prone to this?! Could greater awareness of this improve client compliance across all veterinary sectors?
--------
36:23
Bereavement: How the Loss of an Animal Companion can Impact Us.
In this podcast we hear Carrie Kearns, a Pet Bereavement Councillor, passionately advocate for those experiencing pet bereavement. In conversation with Robyn Lowe and Danny Chambers, who bring their experiences of small animal and equine euthanasia’s, Carrie Kearns ACC Dip PBC, MHS provides compassionate insight into owner experience after pet loss giving useful tips and advice to support our clients through animal euthanasia, including making the decision, the actual procedure and coping afterwards.
We discuss subjects such as disenfranchised grief, where society doesn’t allow us to validate our grief and how this can relate to losing our animals. We have a unique and special co-dependent relationship with our pets and part of ownership is a caregiving role, ensuring their needs are met, often bringing us closer together.
We talk about approaching the decision to euthanise an animal, and how we as members of the veterinary team can support owners so they do not feel alone in this. We also cover simple tips like dressing a catheter can make a big difference to owner experience. Tune in to hear more!
Carrie also highlights her role as a pet bereavement councillor, and how she may be able to assist both clients and veterinary staff. Carrie is a member of the newly launched Association of Pet Bereavement Councillors: a self-regulating body setup to acknowledge the relevance and value of pet bereavement councillors, who can provide niche client support. To become an accredited member, individuals must fulfil specific criteria, and they are listed with details of their location and credentials, so clients can pick a councillor tailored to their needs.
Please follow the following link to view this:
https://apbcounsellors.co.uk/find-a-counsellor
--------
42:31
What's the latest on neurodiversity within our profession?
This podcast needs to be next up on your playlist! Listen in
to Robyn Lowe in conversation with Kirstie Pickles, as she shares both evidence-based and personal insight on the topic of neurodiversity within the veterinary profession.
In open and candid conversation, Kirstie Pickles BVMS MSc PgCert(CounsSkills) PhD CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM MRCVS describes her own later-in-life diagnosis of autism and her mental health journey before and after this.
As many as 1 in 6 of us are thought to be neurodivergent,
making it imperative for us as a profession to be educated and aware, to be best placed to support those experiencing neurodiversity and allow them to thrive in practice.
Through her research, Kirstie found the lack of awareness of neurodiversity amongst colleagues was one of the most commonly reported stressors. To address this finding, Kirstie and a large team at Vetlife has developed a free veterinary-specific neurodiversity guidance detailing information about
different neurodivergent conditions and explaining how neurodivergent individuals both may excel and face challenges within veterinary practice and how we can implement reasonable adjustments in the workplace. Yo can view it by following this link:
https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/
This podcast discusses the new Vetlife Neurodiversity
guidance and more. We touch on the communication mismatch between neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals, the importance of being open and non-judgmental of behaviours in the workplace.
We talk about how the stigma that surrounds neurodiversity at management level is the biggest reason for individuals not to seek help, having a negative impact on their mental health. It is jam-packed with useful, practical advice.
For further help and information, Kirstie is founder of unedited minds, which provides neurodiversity awareness training for organisations and coaching for neurodivergent individuals:
https://uneditedminds.co.uk
Some more links for support include:
The National Autism Society: https://www.autism.org.uk/
The Brain Charity: https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnqK1BhBvEiwAi7o0Xw7-bl52jxdQAZszrGTLX7vez0Dy65DkeV-NNKvTVD-rnwzOo7pCqhoCjsYQAvD_BwE
The British Dyslexia Association: https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/
ADHD UK: https://adhduk.co.uk/
UK