Tag Archive for: webinar

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Mind Matters Initiative focuses on new wellbeing webinar series

We are pleased to announce a new series of webinars to be hosted by The Webinar Vet, focusing on how to increase wellbeing.

The first webinar takes place on Thursday 13 December at 1pm and will focus on the link between psychological wellbeing and regular outdoor exercise. The webinar will be hosted by Oli Glackin, the RCVS Leadership Initiative Manager who is also a consultant in the psychology of exercise, and Nat Scroggie MRCVS, a keen marathon runner who is known for her blog, ‘This Vet Runs’. The webinar is titled, ‘”I know it’ll be good for me tomorrow”: physical activity, the elixir that’s just around the corner’.

The webinar will explore what is commonly known about the positive relationship between physical activity and psychological wellbeing and mental health, including details of exercise ‘dose’ and intensity. It will also focus on changing the way we approach physical exercise, the sorts of motivators that work for us individually, the introduction of fun and pleasure into the regime of exercise, and will seek to help participants improve their own relationship with exercise.

Nat Scroggie will also be speaking personally about her own journey with exercise and how it has had a positive impact on her wellbeing.

She said: “It’s been an absolute honour to be involved in promoting well-being in the veterinary profession, and to share my own story. Exercise has been my biggest tool in managing my first few years in practice. It has been a relief from the day to day stresses, whilst also giving me a challenge and identity outside of my working life. I’m a pretty average runner, but I recently ran my first marathon, something I never ever thought I could do. It’s hard to explain how much confidence those 26.2 miles have given me in my working life, even if it seems like it’s nothing to do with finally nailing a bitch spay.

“Making time to do something that’s great for your body, and your mind, is allowing yourself the time to prioritise you. As veterinary professionals we are brilliant at caring for our clients and patients, but it’s amazing what we can achieve when we allow ourselves that same compassion.”

Sign up to take part in this webinar, which can also count towards a veterinary surgeon’s or veterinary nurse’s continuing professional development.

In January 2019, the RCVS’ MMI project will be holding a series of webinars on the evening of the ‘Pre-Congress Associates Day’ on Friday 18 January 2019, ahead of the Webinar Vet’s Virtual Congress from Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 January.

The webinar series focus on veterinary wellbeing and are as follows:

  • 7pm – 7.30pm: Qualified accountant and wellbeing advisor Jo Stevens will present ‘How to stay positive in a negative world’.
  • 7.30pm – 8pm: Positive psychologist and professional wellbeing coach will present ‘How thinking positively makes life easier’.
  • 8pm – 8.30pm: Leadership coach and trainer Anne-Marie Svendsen-Aylott will talk about ‘Understanding the concept of “mindset” – a key to finding a more positive outlook.’
  • 8.30pm – 9pm: Dr Sara Tai, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester and Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, will be presenting ‘Living the life you want’.

Any member of the veterinary team is welcome to take part in the Webinar Vet Virtual Congress and the sessions being run by the RCVS. Visit the Virtual Congress website for more information, and to purchase tickets.

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Mind Matters to host International Virtual Congress session on mental health

We will be hosting a session on mental health as part of The Webinar Vet’s International Virtual Congress, on 19 January 2018 from 7pm to 9pm. This will be the third time that we have taken part in the International Virtual Congress and will see Stuart Reid, RCVS Council member and Chair of the MMI, chair a series of MMI-sponsored talks focusing on shame and blame, the ‘arrival fallacy’, and wellbeing in practice.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons launched Mind Matters to increase the accessibility and acceptance of mental health support, and encourage a culture that better equips individuals to talk about and deal with stress and related issues.

The session comprises three talks:

  • ‘The surprising truth behind genuinely living with passion and purpose,’ with Jenny Guyat, founder of Vet Harmony. This talk will review the research data on shame and vulnerability, and look at their impact on the veterinary professions.
  • ‘What’s your Ikigai? Overcoming the arrival fallacy and finding meaning in everyday life,’ with Jen Brandt, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Director of Member Wellness and Diversity Initiatives. In this webinar Jen will discuss how to identify and pursue values, rather than external goals.
  • ‘Happy you and happy team – change one thing and you could change your life’. In this webinar Rachel Duncan, co-director of 387 Veterinary Centre, will review some of the initiatives that helped make her practice one of the SPVS Wellbeing Award winners in 2017.

Lizzie Lockett, MMI Director, said: “These online congresses are a great way to reach the many members of the veterinary team. We hope that a wide range of people will be able to listen and benefit from the speakers’ practical advice on identifying areas for personal development that can have a positive impact on their own mental health and wellbeing as well as that of their colleagues.”

Register now for the stream on The Webinar Vet’s website.

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RCVS to chair International Virtual Congress session on mental health

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) will be taking part in The Webinar Vet’s International Virtual Congress on 20 January 2017 from 7-9pm. Neil Smith, RCVS Council member and Chair of the College’s Mind Matters Initiative, will chair a series of talks focusing on resilience and stress reduction, which will be free to join.

The College launched the Mind Matters Initiative to increase the accessibility and acceptance of mental health support, and encourage a culture that better equips individuals to talk about and deal with stress and related issues.

The session comprises three talks: ‘Managing work stress in veterinary practice’ with Dr Elinor O’Connor, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Psychology at the University of Manchester; ‘Veterinary resilience, more good days than bad’ with Dr Jenny Moffett, Managing Director of SkillsTree Ltd; and ‘An introduction to mindfulness’ with Dr Mike Scanlan, Director of Kind Minds Health.

This is the second year that we have been involved with the International Virtual Congress, chairing a ‘happiness symposium’ at last year’s Congress for which over 700 people tuned in.

Register now for the stream on <a href="http://www.theinternationalwebinarvet.com/stream/rcvs-pre-congress-day" onclick="__gaTracker('send', 'event', 'outbound-article', 'http://www.theinternationalwebinarvet propecia online canada.com/stream/rcvs-pre-congress-day’, ‘The Webinar Vet website’);” style=”color: #45b2a8;” target=”_blank”>The Webinar Vet website.

Mike Scanlan

From ‘mind full’ to mindful with series of stress-reduction webinars

Next year the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), in conjunction with The Webinar Vet, will hold a series of mindfulness-based stress-reduction webinars, which aim to improve wellbeing of all those in the veterinary team including students, veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and practice managers.

Registrations are now open for the eight one-hour webinars, which start on Wednesday 1 February 2017 and will run on every Wednesday night from 8pm to 9pm until 22 March 2017.

The sessions will be led by Dr Mike Scanlan, a Mental Health and Wellbeing Consultant, and are based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn from the Centre for Mindfulness Medicine and Research at the University of Massachusetts.

Lizzie Lockett, the Director of the Mind Matters Initiative, says: “Mindfulness is based on the practical skills of noticing, mindful movement and meditation that can help with physical and psychological problems as well as ongoing life challenges.

“Both scientific research and reports from course participants, including those who took part in a similar series of webinars earlier this year, indicate that there are a wealth of physical and psychological benefits to be gained from participating in mindfulness activities.”

Mike adds: “The sessions will help those who take part develop mindfulness through meditation practices, gentle movement and body aware exercises. There are also informal practices such as bringing mindful attention to ordinary, everyday experiences like brushing your teeth, eating a mouthful of food or waiting for a train.”

A ticket for an individual covering the whole eight weeks is available to purchase for £40 (plus VAT) or a practice ticket for up to 10 team members can be purchased for just £200 (plus VAT). Those who are not able to listen to every session live will be able to listen again to the sessions shortly after they are broadcast.

To purchase tickets and register please visit the webinar vet website.

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Mind Matters Initiative teams up with The Webinar Vet to offer online mindfulness course

As part of our Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) the College has teamed up with The Webinar Vet to offer an online series of eight one-hour mindfulness-based stress reduction sessions, entitled ‘Turning mind-full to mindful’.

The evidence base for the positive impact of mindfulness has been growing over recent years. The practice, which grew out of Buddhist traditions of meditation, has been credited with helping to reduce stress and anxiety, relieve pain, improve sleep patterns and general wellbeing, and even make positive physical changes to the brain.

The University of Oxford Mindfulness Centre defines mindfulness as: “The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, with compassion, and open-hearted curiosity. Through cultivating mindful awareness, we discover how to live in the present moment rather than brooding about the past or worrying about the future.”

The sessions will be run by Dr Mike Scanlan, of KindMinds.org, who has run similar courses for human medical professionals.

“This is course is not for those who are in crisis, who should seek direct medical help, but aims to give members of the veterinary team the skills they need to help control their mental landscape in a positive way,” says Mike.

“People may be wary about embarking on a mindfulness course and feel that to gain benefits will be time-consuming. But achieving even ten minutes of mindfulness each day can bring real benefits.

“There are now randomised control trials which show that mindfulness delivered online is effective, and it’s just so easy to access that I would encourage any member of the veterinary team to sign up.”

Comments from attendees of Mike’s previous courses include:

  • “This eight-week course has been so valuable, I’ve learnt the art of mindfulness and now put it into daily practice.”
  • “Mindfulness helps me to calm and quieten my whirling thoughts, to relax and de-stress.”
  • “This course has changed my life – I now live well by gently checking in with myself and asking if what I am doing is working for me, if it isn’t, I stop doing it and do something else.”

“I am delighted that we have been able to work with Dr Mike Scanlan and The Webinar Vet to deliver this innovative programme,” says Lizzie Lockett, MMI Project Director.

“Since MMI began we have been hearing great things about the power of mindfulness. The challenge has been how to make it accessible, given practitioners’ busy lives and the stigma that stops some people from feeling able to access any form of wellbeing support in a public way.

“This webinar-based series can be accessed from home, at any time, and is a perfect entry-point to the benefits of mindfulness. Through MMI funding, we hope that the pricing of the sessions will make them accessible to all.”

The sessions will run from 8-9pm, commencing on Tuesday 26 April and finishing on Tuesday 14 June. Delegates ought not to worry if they miss a session, as they will be recorded and available to listen on demand.

A one-to-one chat function will be available during the webinars, and Mike will be on hand for support online and by phone between sessions. And, of course, anyone can access confidential help at any time via the VetLife Helpline (0303 040 2551) or confidential email service.

The eight-session series will cost £40 +VAT, which has been discounted from £200 + VAT thanks to MMI funding. A practice ticket will also be available at £200 +VAT for up to ten members of staff.

Tag Archive for: webinar