We're helping to challenge the stigma around mental health

Caring: Some 300 people have attended our Mental Health Training Pathway courses in the UK, and we're expanding it to Ireland in 2026

COLLEAGUES from across VetPartners have been joining forces to help support others experiencing or living with mental health conditions.

Our new VetPartners Mental Health Training Pathway courses, which were launched in 2025, have been taking place across the UK to offer everyone an opportunity to complete mental health training and develop further knowledge.

Ten sessions have been held across the UK, with more than 300 people attending. The courses will be expanded across Ireland in 2026.

From raising awareness of how individuals can look after themselves to supporting senior leaders to develop protocols, strategies and practical tools for supporting their team members, the new training is helping to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health in our workplaces.

Supportive: VetPartners Mental Health trainer Tessa Beecroft is passionate about good mental health

Run by VetPartners Mental Health Trainer and Wellbeing Lead Tessa Beecroft, pictured right, those attending have an opportunity to gain an understanding of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue, be able to identify mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, and discuss common signs and symptoms.

It’s also about learning how to start a conversation and the importance of signposting to resources, to understand the professional support available and how to report mental health support needs within their team.

Tessa said: “The aim of the training is to try to reduce the stigma around talking about mental health and give line managers the tools they need to have conversations with colleagues, understand protocols and support available.

Empathy and understanding

“The aim is to help people to have more confidence and more empathy about starting conversations about mental health and to recognise when a colleague is feeling anxiety, depression, compassion fatigue or burnout or may be at risk of substance misuse or suicide. We help people to understand what support might be needed in those situations and everything is tailored to the veterinary profession.

Kind: Team members who want to support colleagues attended our training at Rutland House Vets in St Helens

“People are often worried about saying the wrong thing, but the mental health training offers reassurance and advice. The Level 2 training incorporates suicide awareness, and we have had good discussions about communicating in those circumstances.”

After attending the course, VetPartners Business Development Director (BDD) Gary Rutland said he felt better equipped to support his practice teams in the South, as well as himself.

Gary said: “The VetPartners Mental Health training level 1 and 2 is a fantastic programme, Tessa’s delivery made me, and the room feel safe and comfortable and gave information not only to support myself but also how I can support my colleagues and teams.

“The course was a holistic look at all mental health and how to maintain good mental health and how to reframe and overcome challenges and get the right help during times of low mental health. Having done mental health training externally before, these sessions provided a better approach looking at prevention, spotting signs and knowing when to signpost support.

“All in all, it supported my role as a leader and created a better self-awareness to set my own boundaries, I would highly recommend to anyone in practice who work in a supporting or leadership role.”

Interested in attending?

If you’re interested in attending the Mental Health Matters: Level 1 and Level 2 training, please speak to your line manager and book your place here https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/mental-health-matters-level-1-3767273

• All VetPartners employees have Health Shield giving cash back on a range of wellbeing and health benefits and access to mental health support. The benefit includes a full employee assistance programme (EAP) available 24/7 providing up to eight face-to-face counselling sessions (including cognitive behavioural therapy), along with help, support and advice.

• Vetlife provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 0303 040 2551.

• Our Toilet Door poster includes useful helplines and charities providing support.

Article by Amanda Little, VetPartners PR and Communications Director. Contact amanda.little@vetpartners.co.uk