Cultivet Well-being

Cultivet: Establishing healthy boundaries

In this module, Dr Vanessa Rohlf discusses the importance of healthy 'boundaries' and how you can establish them both personally and professionally. A boundary is a line, or limit, between what is okay and what is not okay, and between what your willing to and not willing to do. There are many simple and practical ways you can create and communicate your boundaries.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE 

Cultivet: Self Care Pt 2 - troubleshooting guide

In this module, Vanessa discusses common barriers to self-care and ways to examine your own barriers to self-care. This troubleshooting guide will help you implement those things you know are good for you but don’t do.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
We know self-care is important but why don't we do it? Further, why is it that when we need self-care the most, when times are tough or when we are stressed, that it’s often the first thing off the to-do list? 
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: Self Care Pt 1 - what does it look like?

While many of us may agree that you "can't pour from an empty cup" and that self-care is important, putting these words into action can, sometimes, present a challenge. In this talk, Vanessa discusses  fundamental behaviours to include in your self-care routines.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: Resilience, bouncing back when reality bites

Resilience refers to the ability to bounce back from adversity. The term “resilience” is commonly used in our everyday language but what does it really mean? Can you learn resilience or is it something you’re just born with? Vanessa discusses what the science says about resilience and what it means to be resilient.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: Coping with pet loss and grief

In this module, Vanessa draws on her work as a pet loss counsellor and provides practical ways to support clients and maintain good self-care when working with grief and loss.
Veterinary professionals are regularly exposed to death and grief, and sometimes it can be hard to know how to care for clients and maintain good self-care during these difficult times. In addition to euthanasia and breaking bad news, providing support to distressed and grieving clients is a primary source of stress for veterinary professionals.
When done well, however, working in the area of pet loss, and providing support and comfort to those who are bereaved, can be a highly rewarding aspect of the job.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE

Cultivet: Checking in on your co-workers

In this talk, Vanessa walks you through how to have a conversation and check-in with a colleague we are concerned about. 
Having a conversation about mental health with someone you care about can be a simple yet effective way to help out a friend, colleague, or family member who may be experiencing a rough time.
For a range of free information and practical tips on how to support someone close to you, visit ruok.org.au
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: The emotional toll of vet and how to decompress

In this talk, Vanessa discusses some of the research on the emotional toll of veterinary work. She provides definitions on compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout. Drawing on this research, Vanessa highlights strategies to manage the emotional toll of working in the veterinary profession.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: Languishing and finding your flow

In this talk, Dr Vanessa Rohlf defines 'languishing' and discusses the ways we can regain hope, and get back to our best selves. Mental health and well-being exist on a continuum and languishing describes that middle point between flourishing and experiencing a mental health disorder. It’s that feeling of not being depressed but also not experiencing moments of joy like you used to. If you recognise this state, you’re not alone. So, what do we do about? Vanessa provides some helpful and practical tips.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: Your stress first aid kit

In this module, Dr Vanessa Rohlf discusses evidence-based ways to de-stress when experiencing distress.
Veterinary work can be rewarding, and it can also be stressful. While experiencing some stress can be motivating and can help improve performance, experiencing too much stress can impede performance and can have negative impacts on mental and physical health.
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.

Cultivet: An introduction to Mental Health

Welcome to the Cultivet Well-being series! In this module, Dr Vanessa Rohlf introduces the topic of 'mental health' and provides some explanation about what it means in the broader sense. As Vanessa explains, mental health refers to how we think, feel and act - and is not just the presence or absence of a mental illness.
For a full transcript of this episode, CLICK HERE
REMINDER: If you are anyone you know is experiencing a crisis, there is always help available. In an emergency within Australia, always call 000. Some helpful services include: Lifeline by phone on 13 11 14 (24 hours, 7 days a week); Lifeline text on 0477 13 11 14 (24/7); Suicide Callback Service 1300 659 467.