Wellbeing: College of Optometrists resources

We have a number of videos, podcasts, webinars and journal articles you can access to support your wellbeing.

As eye health professionals we recognise the importance of mental health and wellbeing for our patients. However, we may not always recognise or prioritise our own mental health needs. Here is a collection of wellbeing resources available on our website.

The EyePod: The College's podcast

Coping with anxiety: Supervisors and trainees

Podcast: Ruth Bennett, Deputy Lead Assessor on the Scheme for Registration, Dave Burke, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Neil Constantine-Smith, an optometrist with over 30 years experience, answer questions from supervisors and trainees on the Scheme for Registration.

Coping with anxiety

Podcast: Ruth Bennett, Deputy Lead Assessor on the Scheme for Registration, talks to Dave Burke, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and optometrist Neil Constantine-Smith, about the rising number of young people suffering from anxiety.

The eyes and lows of lockdown (Part 1): Taking care of yourself

Podcast: In the first of a series of 'takeover' episodes, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom talks to Kush Mandavia MCOptom about how to take care of our own wellbeing.

Webinars

Managing mental health in these challenging times

Mental Health Counsellor David Beeney looks at how you can assess your own mental health and improve your levels of personal resilience during challenging times, as well as spotting the signs that a colleague maybe suffering with poor mental health.

Your patient, their health

This online CPD course helps you improve your knowledge and skills in managing public health issues that affect your patients: dementia, falls and depression.

From Acuity

Bouncing back: resilience in optometry

Personal resilience is a positive trait that has become an often misunderstood and misused term. Kathy Oxtoby looks at the issues for eye care practitioners.

Are you pushing through the pain?

Kathy Oxtoby looks at why practitioners experience physical discomfort and what steps they can take to help themselves.

What support is available for patients with low vision and depression?

Helen Gilbert asks what are the signs of depression you should look for among those with low vision and how optometrists can help them

Looking out for your mental wellbeing

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom, Clinical Adviser for the College, on how optometrists should attend to their health and mental wellbeing.

Optometry in Practice

Patient-reported outcome measures and the optometrist

What patients really care about is the impact of illness on their wellbeing, and their ability to play an active role in society. So how can the patient experience be measured? This article gives an overview, making reference to eye health where possible.

Well-being and optometric practice

Optometrists talk to patients about eye health every day, and have an important role to play in health promotion and public health.

Student wellbeing

Studying well: Looking after your mental health during your degree
Here, we highlight our resources on mental health in optometry, and hear our student reps' experiences and tips for managing your wellbeing.