AVS Congress 2018 Raises a Phenomenal Amount for VetLife

PRESS RELEASE FOR UNIVERSITY MENTAL HEALTH DAY 2018

AVS Congress 2018 raised in excess of £1,100 for Vetlife. The student run event, held in February at Bristol Vet School, was attended by 300 delegates from vet schools in the UK, Ireland and from Budapest.

Selecting Vetlife as the official charity of AVS Congress 2018 marks the start of a closer relationship between Vetlife and the Association of Veterinary Students, for which the issue of mental health and wellbeing is a priority.. Following successful mental health first aid weekends organised at the vet schools in 2017, the Association will be running these again for students in the 2018/19 academic year.

David Charles, AVS President said;

‘We all know the veterinary degree brings times of stress, self doubt and anxiety among other things. Sometimes we, as students, need someone to tell us these feelings are normal. Vetlife is a fantastic service. If AVS can work more closely with Vetlife to ensure our members know how the charity can help, and that Vetlife’s services are available to students, then it’s something we should definitely be doing. Expect to hear a lot more about this in the year ahead!’

Welcoming the increased awareness of the Charity amongst veterinary students, and thanking AVS for its contribution, Honorary Treasurer of Vetlife, Graham Dick added; “ We face increasing calls on Vetlife’s services from throughout the veterinary community, including those in veterinary education. The impressive sum of money raised by the AVS membership, will help us to continue to be able to meet that demand”.

For more information about AVS visit www.avsukireland.co.uk , for information about Vetlife’s student services visit www.vetlife.org.uk/who-we-help/vet-students

If you need support please contact Vetlife Helpline on 0303 040 2551 or email via www.vetlife.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

Vetlife is a charity which provides support to members of the UK veterinary community and their families who have emotional, health or financial concerns.

Vetlife finances and manages three services in order to achieve this:

Vetlife Helpline: provides confidential emotional support by phone or anonymous email via the website. Support is provided by trained volunteers; vets, VNs, and others who have knowledge of the veterinary profession. It is a completely confidential, non-judgmental listening service, which gives people time and space to talk. Callers are provided with access to specialist help where appropriate.

Vetlife Financial Support: provides financial and other assistance to veterinary surgeons, and their dependants, in the form of regular monthly grants or one-time special gifts. Professional advice on issues such as debt and State benefits may also be funded.

For younger people, this support can mean homes not being repossessed or enablement to deal with their physical or mental health problems and a successful return to work. For the elderly or those unable to return to work, the support provides an improved quality of life.

Vetlife Health Support: provides professional support for mental health issues, including those related to stress, anxiety, depression, alcohol, drugs and eating disorders.

More information is available at www.vetlife.org.uk

Contact: Jo Driver
E: info@vetlife.org.uk T: 0207 908 6385
Donations can be made to Vetlife on-line at www.justgiving.com/vetlife

Vetlife is a working title of the Veterinary Benevolent Fund which is a Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Company No. 153010 at 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ, Charity Registration No. 224776