Managing Mental Health in the Workplace for Everyday Veterinary Leaders

There are a series of CPD workshops over different days for current or aspiring veterinary managers/leaders including those who work in niche veterinary roles in different parts of the sector.

Each of the courses take place between 10:30 - 15:30, and will be held online unless stated otherwise. In-person courses include lunch and light refreshments. 

Course dates:

• Friday 20 March
• Monday 20 April
• Monday 11 May
• Monday 18 May
• Friday 19 June (This course is in-person and will run from 10:00 - 15:30)

• Bring key concepts from the RCVS Mind Matters Academy 'Managing Mental Health in the Workplace' online course to life through discussion, self-reflection, and practical exercises
• Focus on recognising signs of poor mental health, both in person and remotely
• Develop effective communication skills to support colleagues and teams
• Explore practical self-care strategies for the workplace
• Equip participants with actionable skills and knowledge they can apply immediately 

• Describe the importance of a mentally healthy workplace and the manager’s role in fostering it
• Recognise early signs of stress, burnout, and poor mental health in themselves and others
• Practise key communication and conversation skills for supporting colleagues
• Apply strategies which are relevant to the veterinary workplace to create psychologically safe, supportive team environments
• Identify personal self-care and team wellbeing strategies and know where to access further help

A member of the RCVS Mind Matters team will open and close the day. The workshop will include 30 minutes for lunch.

The course will be delivered by Dr Felicity Baker and Dr Jackie Allt from Ultimate Resilience.

Dr. Felicity Baker is a Cambridge University-trained Chartered Clinical and Coaching Psychologist with over three decades of experience helping people and organisations thrive under pressure. She combines academic rigour with two decades leading NHS psychological therapy services before moving into private practice and co-founding Ultimate Resilience Ltd in 2013.

Her work spans leadership coaching, resilience training, and organisational consultancy, blending evidence-based psychology with practical strategies for sustainable workplace resilience and wellbeing. Felicity has co-facilitated significant research initiatives, including the 2024 and 2025 HR Mental Wellbeing Survey, which revealed the profession’s high rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression. She was instrumental in creating the UK’s first HR Supervision programme, adapting clinical models to provide HR professionals with the kind of structured emotional support long established in healthcare.

Dr. Jackie Allt is a highly experienced Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Executive/Leadership Coach (EMCC Global Accredited EIA Senior Practitioner). Until April 2025, she worked as Chief Psychologist at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. She is also a highly experienced trainer having previously worked as Clinical and Academic Tutor at the Salomon’s Institute of Applied Psychology, Christchurch University.

Delegates will be asked to do some pre-reading ahead of the day. This will be detailed in the follow up email once you have signed up for the event.

Access the CPD course on this topic at the RCVS Academy: Managing mental health in the workplace | RCVS Academy