Ashleigh Clayton

My Activity Tracking

1,729
kms

Help me create a mentally healthier world

I'm standing up to join Team Black Dog to turn ground breaking research into life saving action.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year, with the most common being depression and anxiety. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life — individuals, families, workplaces and communities.

People who work in the Veterinary industry are FOUR TIMES more likely to end their life than the general population.  This is due to long work hours, stress, abuse and emotional manipulation.

The pandemic has brought out the best..and the worst in people and with that comes abuse on multiple areas of work which are deemed essential, including Veterinary staff who are only trying to do their best with what little support we already have.  Before this pandemic we were already short staffed and with people staying home, there is a much bigger demand for appointments, as people bring home their new puppies and kittens, are spending more time with their animals and taking them on more walks etc.

Believe me when I say we do not want to have to take your sick (and even healthy) animals away from you to do consults whilst you wait outside, believe me when I say we wish you could come inside to be with them.

Believe me when I say we would prefer for it to be a quick in-person transaction when you're coming in to pick up medication or food.

Believe me when I say we wish the government cared enough about the veterinary industry to offer us vaccine priority which would mean we could operate as normal.

But it is what it is.  We are in a pandemic and to protect ourselves, and you, we need to implement these rules.

So please be kind, we are doing our very best with very little support.  We work in an industry that is already suffering mentally, please don't make it any worse.

I will be swimming 10km on October 10th (one day after Veterinary Nurse day) to celebrate the hard work nurses, veterinarians and receptionists do to make sure your animals are healthy and happy.

Please donate where you can.

My Updates

Olympics and Mental Health

Sunday 8th Aug
The Olympics has done a lot this week.  It has brought people together.  It has distracted us, even if only for a few minutes, from the pandemic surrounding the world. It has brought laughs, smiles and even tears to our eyes as we watch these incredible athletes do what they love.
We have seen wins, losses, and genuine heart break.
We have also seen the toll competitive sport takes on professional athletes and we have seen a start in the discussion of mental health.
It is beyond me that some people are still calling athletes who pull out of a competition due to mental health 'weak' or that they're 'giving up'.  Other athletes belittle them and say, 'it's part of the job'.
Mental health, and protecting your mental health does not make you weak, it does not make you any less of an athlete.  People who judge you for having mental health issues are weak.

If you are suffering from mental health issues, especially in this pandemic, know that you are strong, you have made it this far and everyone you know and everyone who knows you, are so so so proud of you.

Thank you to my Sponsors

$50

Ashleigh Clayton

$52

Lincoln Gock-young

$200

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