How did you stay connected with others over the pandemic period?
Zoom really was a game changer! I was lucky in some ways that I still went into the clinic to work. Seeing my lovely work colleagues really kept me sane.
Is a sense of community important to you?
A sense of community is so important to me. I have realised that this comes in all shapes and forms. I have loved getting to know the wider veterinary community through social media.
When has community helped you?
When I was making the difficult decision to step back from clinical work, the Vetstagram community opened my eyes to what was possible. I was reassured about my decision by wonderful people that I have never met in person.
What’s your favourite conversation starter?
Do you watch Schitt’s Creek?
We know connection with others is important, but what’s your favourite way wind down and reconnect with yourself?
Sounds cheesy… but walking on the beach. The ocean has an amazing ability to re-connect.
With many communities now building online, can you recommend a podcast, book or show that has made you feel closer to others?
So, without plugging, my own podcast! I have had the joy of recording the veterinary thought exchange podcast. That has made me feel really connected with the veterinary community.
https://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/scott-kilpatrick.jpg350350MMI Press Officehttps://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mm-sphere-logo.pngMMI Press Office2022-05-12 15:18:192022-05-12 15:29:50Mental Health Awareness Week 2022…Let’s Get Connected! – Scott Kilpatrick
How did you stay connected with others over the pandemic period?
Pretty much all virtually. Be that from simple text/Whatsapp messages or video calls. Even just a one line “hello, how you doing today?” message was so important – to send and receive. I’ve tried to continue this now we’re back to “normal”. Checking in with people is so important.
Is a sense of community important to you?
Yes, but I don’t personally feel this always needs to be in person. It’s important to find your tribe – and that can be a group of people who have the same career, hobbies or just people you vibe with. I also think it’s possible (and totally ok!) to have a number of communities.
When has community helped you?
When my brother died in January 2021, my friends rallied round me in a way I never thought they would have to. My core friendship group, my community, is from University and they held me up when I needed that support.
What’s your favourite conversation starter?
Travel. Where have you been, where do you want to go?
We know connection with others is important, but what’s your favourite way wind down and reconnect with yourself?
Gardening, and by gardening I mean completely redesigning my garden. We moved to our current house in January 2020, so that lockdown summer was spent totally renovating the garden. I’m a very haphazard gardener and I really have no idea what will appear after I’ve planted something. All adds to the surprise element! I find the whole process very peaceful but also very satisfying as something I’ve created is growing and changing in front of my eyes.
With many communities now building online, can you recommend a podcast, book or show that has made you feel closer to others?
Sadly I experienced a loss during January 2021 when my brother passed away very unexpectedly. I stumbled across The Grief Gang (Amber Jeffrey) podcasts and hearing other people speak about their experiences was extremely comforting and helped me through those initial few months.
https://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/sbd-headshot-400x400-1.jpg400400MMI Press Officehttps://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mm-sphere-logo.pngMMI Press Office2022-05-11 11:13:152022-05-12 15:09:34Mental Health Awareness Week 2022…Let’s Get Connected! – Dr Samantha Butler-Davies
Mind Matters Senior Outreach and Engagement Officer
How did you stay connected with others over the pandemic period?
I joined online communities and kept an accountable weekly check-in. I also adopted a nanna through Mind.
Is a sense of community important to you?
Hugely important. For me, a sense of community is grounding and energising.
When has community helped you?
The community helped me at the beginning of the pandemic when I lost my sense of purpose. As a locum 9 months work was cancelled within 15 mins. I went from being a travelling extrovert to being grounded alone with my dog. Online communities were invaluable at this time.
What’s your favourite conversation starter?
Oh, it would have to be something travel related. I love to travel and explore other cultures.
We know connection with others is important, but what’s your favourite way to wind down and reconnect with yourself?
A dog walk. I love nothing more than taking my dogs out for golden hour in the Cotwolds and just enjoying the feast of nature.
With many communities now building online, can you recommend a podcast, book or show that has made you feel closer to others?
Lucky – Ed Jackson. This book gave me so much perspective. Highly recommended!
https://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lacey.png400400MMI Press Officehttps://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mm-sphere-logo.pngMMI Press Office2022-05-10 16:14:382022-05-10 16:14:43Mental Health Awareness Week 2022…Let’s get Connected! – Lacey Pitcher
How did you stay connected with others over the pandemic period?
The pandemic was difficult, not only because it was the pandemic, but because I found myself out of work and living in a new city. My partner was working from home, and I would spend my days running and sending off endless job applications. I felt futile and alone. It was difficult!
Keeping connected with others was hugely important. We had lots of Zoom quizzes with friends, and I just made sure I phoned people regularly and got out of the flat when I could. Listening to podcasts and reading books also helped me feel less alone. Even if it wasn’t direct connection, hearing people’s stories, both fiction and nonfiction, and finding common ground within that helped me to feel more connected.
Is a sense of community important to you?
Yes. It makes you feel less alone and makes you feel valued for who you are. Even if it’s something really small and simple. I think the classic notion of community can easily become overwhelming to some people as becoming a part of something new can feel like another commitment (I’m envisioning a bustling village hall type situation…which can be great for some people, but it’s not for everyone!)
But even something like going to the same sports centre regularly can be nice. Somewhere where you can bond over a common interest. It’s just knowing you can see a familiar smiling face when you need one. Having a friendly little chat can really help get you out of your own headspace.
When has community helped you?
As you can probably tell, I’ve always loved exercise. Having that outlet has always helped me. I’ve always been a part of my community sports centre both growing up in Kent, and now, living in Basingstoke.
Sports centres are always full of different people who are all there to have fun and there’s never any pressure. It’s comforting, familiar and friendly. That in itself is really grounding.
What’s your favourite conversation starter?
You can’t beat classic British weather…failing that…it depends on the situation! How are you? Where are you from? What do you do? (Before moving swiftly onto the very important topic of ‘do you like dogs?’)
We know connection with others is important, but what’s your favourite way to wind down and reconnect with yourself?
Getting out in nature. You can’t beat a long walk on the beach or in the woods. I also love baking cakes and loaves of bread!
With many communities now building online, can you recommend a podcast, book or show that has made you feel closer to others?
I love Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast. She interviews all sorts of people about their lives and various struggles they’ve learnt to overcome. There’s always something relatable. It’s the perfect mix of thought provoking and fun! It’s a good reminder that at the end of the day we’re all only human and we’re all just trying to figure everything out.
https://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/abi-hanson.jpg400400Abi Hansonhttps://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mm-sphere-logo.pngAbi Hanson2022-05-09 11:16:452022-05-10 12:18:29Mental Health Awareness Week 2022…Let’s get Connected! – Abi Hanson
Veterinary Nursing Student, British Veterinary Nursing Association Student Representative, Mind Matters Initiative Taskforce Member
How did you stay connected with others over the pandemic period?
The way I connected with others was through social media. As much as I hate the negativity it can cause, it was such a vital component of keeping me sane and allowing me to stay in communication with everyone. I think I had one zoom party but I didn’t feel that was for me. Luckily enough I was fortunate to be in a household with my parent and sibling so I don’t feel I felt the impact of loneliness as much as others.
Is a sense of community important to you?
I feel a sense of community is crucial for me, it allows my voice to be heard, concerns to be shared. I sometimes feel I suffer with imposter syndrome too much or that I might have not done something to the best of my ability but the community around me are my cheerleaders who motivate me to carry on.
When has community helped you?
Community helped me through my biggest struggles, suffering from bad mental health moments in my life I have often felt very lost. But the community around me has allowed me to stay on path or to navigate a little better.
What’s your favourite conversation starter?
I love food so I will almost always have food on me, so for me its always offering the snack!
We know connection with others is important, but what’s your favourite way wind down and reconnect with yourself?
I love plants and animals (of course) so for me I love to be surrounded by either my aquarium full of plants or my 80+ houseplants, spoiler alert I have also started delving into pond plants too! As much as I love being surrounded by friends and family I feel there is something so powerful just slowly going about my time with the plants and watching them grow and develop!
With many communities now building online, can you recommend a podcast, book or show that has made you feel closer to others?
I love so many shows and one show I have loved for years which is sadly ending soon is This Is Us. It’s a generational story about a family called the Pearsons and although it is an emotional rollercoaster it always makes me feel closer to others!
https://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/macauly-gatenby.jpg400400MMI Press Officehttps://vetmindmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/mm-sphere-logo.pngMMI Press Office2022-05-06 16:09:492022-05-11 10:14:58Mental Health Awareness Week 2022…Let’s Get Connected! – Macauly Gatenby