Welcome to the official site of The Association of Veterinary Students
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Find out about the discussions that took place at the
British Veterinary Association Congress 2011,
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Welfare
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Welfare day at Nottingham, 12th October 2011
The second Nottingham Welfare Day (an initiative set up by last year’s Welfare Rep, Chris Ogden) ran on Wednesday 12th October with approximately 20 stands occupying the vet school atrium. The stands were from a variety of services and support groups from inside the vet school and University, and also from further afield in the local district. The delegates were terrific, talking to students as they passed through the displays, and sharing with them any information they thought useful. The aim of the day was to showcase the support network available to students whilst at vet school, and where to go for help should they need it.
Inevitably freebies helped to attract a lot of students and a free lunch, kindly sponsored by BVA, followed a short talk. We were lucky enough to have several speakers on the day: Robin Dollery, head of Student Services at the University of Nottingham gave a short presentation about how we already have the ‘tools’ we needed to cope with stressful situations and how we should adapt them with time as we progress through vet school and on into our working lives. Rory O’Connor for the Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme (VSHSP) followed, talking about his role within the organisation and how it is able to help both students and vets in times of difficulty. The aim of the talks was to show students how they are able to help themselves to stay on top of things and that there are a whole range of support systems out there if the need arises. The talk was rounded off by a brief discussion from Chris Ogden (4th Year at Nottingham and AVS JVP) and Rachel Dean (University lecturer) on the results of last year’s welfare survey, highlighting some very interesting results. All students that attended the talk were put into a raffle to win the latest Kindle (very kindly provided by Vets Now) and an AVS Sports ticket which were won by Alex Mullany and Thomas Theobald both first years.
We also hosted a cake sale to raise money for the Veterinary Benevolent Fund (VBF), a charity which supports vets and their families who are unable to work due to ill health.
Overall the day was a great success and we certainly hope that everyone who attended the day got some benefit out of attending. We are looking within AVS to do a welfare event of some form or another at each of the vet schools so watch out for one coming your way!
The Association of Veterinary Students (AVS) is involved in both student welfare and animal welfare and this is coordinated by the Welfare Representative on the committee.
Animal Welfare
As veterinary students we will all have very strong views on animal welfare issues and AVS represents students’ views and lobbies for improvements to animal welfare across the country. BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) is the veterinary professions’ own welfare charity and AVS represents students’ views at their meetings and discussion forums.
Student Welfare
AVS is committed to improving student welfare and it is an issue that is high on our agenda. This page will outline some of the common welfare issues amongst veterinary students. It will also signpost where to go for more help and advice and will give further information on all the support available.
Student Finance
Student Debt affects all students at University but veterinary students are particularly vulnerable due to the length and intensity of the course. It is very difficult to find time to hold down a part time job throughout the year and even in the summer the job opportunities are affected by EMS (a further expense). None of this is taken into consideration by the Student Loans Company. In the AVS Student Survey, over a third of students (35%) reported difficult or severe financial problems. Some student debt is unavoidable but you can get help and deal with your debts.
For more information and advice on student finance
- Also, contact your Student Loans Company (SLC) for further advice and support.
Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Veterinary medicine is a very intense course and it is a big challenge – It can also be very stressful.
In the AVS survey, there is a far higher incidence of mental health problems among veterinary students than there are in greater society. 29.4% of students said that they either suffer from or had previously suffered from anxiety and 21.6% from depression. There is a lot of support available (both academic and pastoral) and so please use the services provided if you need to - too many students try to go it alone and do not get help.
For more information on Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- Please also contact your University about their counselling services.
- Samaritans 08457 90 90 90
- Vet Helpline can tell you how to get more specialist help if it is needed. 07659 811 118
- Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme. 07946 634220
Isolation and Loneliness
The university experience is very new and exciting – It is the first time away from home, meeting new people and starting the veterinary course. University is also very intense and it can sometimes be very lonely. It is easy to feel a bit left out and isolated. For more information of isolation, loneliness and other emotional issues
- Nightline is a confidential listening, support service run by students for students.
- Cambridge University - 01223 744444
- Royal Veterinary College - 020 7631 0101
- University of Bristol - 0117 926 6266
- University of Nottingham - 0115 951 4985
- University of Edinburgh - 0131 557 4444
- University of Glasgow - 0141 353 1050
- University of Dublin - 1800 793 793
- Vet Helpline (07659 811 118)
- Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme (07946 634220)
- Please also contact your university about their counselling services
Addictive and Eating Disorders
Alcohol, drug addiction, eating disorders, gambling and other mental health disorders can all be recovered from. With intervention and an individual therapy programme a high proportion of students will return quickly to work, university and normal family relationships.
- Vet Helpline (07659 811 118)
- Veterinary Surgeons’ Health Support Programme. 07946 634220
- Please also contact your Doctor or University counselling service.
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