Save lives: look after your mental health

Mental Health Awareness Week is almost at an end and once again has provided a much needed platform for discussion about mental health. This year the focus has been on stress — two thirds of people experience a mental health problem at some point in their life, and stress is a key contributor to this.

Earlier in the month the BVA revealed that over 77% of veterinary professionals have expressed concern for a colleague or student — the BVA's message this week has therefore been about ‘reaching out to colleagues by opening up about the issues and experiences that may be causing them stress’. The BVA has encouraged people to share the tools that help them to cope. Tweeted tips include spending more time in nature; taking time to do something you love (such as taking a dog for a walk somewhere beautiful); and being kind to yourself and others (doing things for others can make us all happier and healthier).