RCVS makes donation to mental health charity
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has made a 3,000 Christmas gift to the mental health charity Mind.
The charity was chosen as the recipient of the President’s Christmas Box donation by current RCVS President Professor Stuart Reid. The donation has been made every year since 2010 in lieu of sending out Christmas cards and previous recipients have included Canine Partners, equine charity SPANA, Hounds for Heroes and the Veterinary Benevolent Fund.
Mind is one of the leading mental health charities in England and Wales and provides advice and support to people who are experiencing mental health problems as well as campaigning to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Speaking of his reasons for donating to Mind, Stuart says: “Many people will have had some experience of challenges to mental health and well-being, whether personally or through someone close to them. As the recent launch of our Mind Matters Initiative demonstrates, we are also aware of problems such as stress, anxiety and depression and their often tragic consequences within the veterinary profession.
“For these reasons Mind is my charity of choice this year, in recognition of the vital support it provides to people with mental health problems in communities across the country and its ongoing fight to provide a better deal for these people and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. I also hope that, in nominating Mind, we can build a closer relationship with the charity as I feel that its insight and expertise will be of great benefit to the Mind Matters Initiative.”
Kathleen Miles, Director of Fundraising at Mind says: "We are delighted to have been chosen to receive this generous donation from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Money raised through the President’s Christmas Box will help Mind to be there for the one in four people who have a mental health problem; so they get the support they need and the respect they deserve.”
For more information about Mind and its services please visit www.mind.org.uk
Members of the profession in need of emotional support can contact the Vet Helpline, a confidential service which is open 24 hours a day, on its new number 0303 040 2551. They can also use a confidential email service, which is accessible via the Vetlife website www.vetlife.org.uk
