FECAVA shows commitment to Mental Health by co-signing Mind Matters International Joint Statement

FECAVA is delighted to announce that FECAVA is now a co-signatory on the Mind Matters International Joint Statement which was initiated by RCVS and AVMA. Through this initiative, FECAVA member associations show their commitment to work together to make a real difference to veterinary mental health.

FECAVA is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the veterinary community across Europe with an active working group that was formed in 2018. The objective of the group is to raise awareness, and gather evidence on how mental health issues are affecting the profession in Europe by recognizing the different issues, sharing ideas, providing a place to signpost sources of information, and developing a tool kit that can be adapted to individual practices and countries.

By participating in the MM International group, FECAVA shows unification with the global veterinary family in recognizing the importance of maintaining high levels of mental health and wellbeing for all within the profession and hopes to share our resources, and rather than duplicate work, collaborate on areas where there is more work to be done.
Adrian Hochstadt, Deputy CEO of the American Veterinary Medical Association, joint developers of the Mind Matters International statement, said: “The AVMA and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons are delighted that the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations has signed up to our joint Mind Matters International statement. We are proud to be part of a global veterinary community that is recognizing the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing, and look forward to working with FECAVA to support our veterinary communities by sharing best practices and resources, and being a strong and united voice on the importance of a safe and supportive culture.”

Patricia Colville, FECAVA Mental Health and Well-being working group chair adds: »I am really pleased to have the opportunity to collaborate with AVMA and RCVS on this important topic and look forward to working with the wider veterinary community.

The Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of those in the veterinary team, including students, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons, and practice managers. MMI was launched in 2015 and is funded and run by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses in the UK. The RCVS takes the mental health and welfare of members of the veterinary profession seriously. Mind Matters is a pan-professional initiative, supported by a task force comprising representatives from key veterinary and veterinary nursing organizations.

Through its member associations, FECAVA represents more than 25,000 companion animal veterinarians in 39 European countries. FECAVA strives to improve the veterinary care of pets through professional development. It also provides a voice for companion animal issues at the European level and works closely with other European veterinary organizations and stakeholders.
Mind Matters International Statement on Mental Health and Wellbeing: https://www.vetmindmatters.org/mind-matters…/

For further information, please contact: info@fecava.org

Date of issue: 12 July 2021

 

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