We live in an area with 3 fox hunts, at least one hare coursing pack and unwelcome regular visits by staghound packs from elsewhere in Devon. Our mental health has suffered, too. Being hyper-alert two days a week watching out for them, so we can get our animals to safety if they invade our garden, takes a toll. A couple of years ago I had to seek help with mental health because of that, and the anger and frustration I feel that these people get away with their crimes. I'm OK now, I've taught myself to cope better with it all, and I am endlessly grateful to the sabs and monitors who, as normal people, will be feeling what I've felt but a hundred times worse. This is such a good idea.
You're so right KittyKat. Sabs and monitors seem like superheroes, calm in the face of aggression, repeatedly having to refuse to be baited into responding to violence and threats - but of course they're 'normal' people too. It's our own experiences and listening to so many people on the front line that prompted Protect the Mind. If it even helps one person it will be worth it.
I think it’s brilliant that you are helping people with mental health problems! So often it is an area that is overlooked. You do such brilliant and necessary work for animals and people anyway, so doing this is another wonderful thing that you do!
YES IT IS, WITHOUT WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE, PEOPLES HEALTH BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY GETS WORSE. WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO WITHOUT BREATHING MORE POLLUTANTS OR RIVERS AND STREAMS KILLING OFF WILDLIFE AND TREES AND FLOWERS ETC WHICH BOTH ANIMAL AND HUMAN DEPEND ON TO LIVE?
What i am saying is that it is anatural reaction in sensitive people. Therapists ofen seek to find personal'ptroblems to expalin the anguish people feel at the persecution ofnature. I have had it happen tomeand it is just horrible/ and please don't use capitals when replying. That is shouting i was merely trying to join in the conversation. I won't do so again.
When i replied to your message i was just putting forward a view. People need countryside and wildlife to ease their stresses of everyday life, which means without it they endure mental health issues. With more and more people getting anixety and stressed, mental health issues are on the rise.Does that mean people are to sensitive of the views of other people. I always use capital letters as i think it is neater .
Fabulous idea! It's harrowing enough reading about the sickos persecuting wildlife....I can't imagine how it is for the sabs and monitors in the thick of it.
I think this is a brilliant idea and very much needed. I’m not able to go out in the field for health reasons, but I can only imagine the horrors. From my “arm chair” activism I often feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the suffering out there so for those of you out on the job it must be terrible. I totally support this initiative and thank you all for your constant hard work.
WITH ALL GOVERNMENTS BOTH RED AND BLUE, THE COUNTRYSIDE/WILDLIFE AND ANIMALS ARE BEING EXTERMINATED AT AN ALARMING RATE, WITH LYING POLITICANS STATING THAT THEY SUPPORT THE ENVIROMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE, BUT THAN BUILD EVERYWHERE, MEANING THAT POLLUTION IS ADDED TO GREENHOUSE GASSES, MEANING MORE PEOPLE BEING KILLED OFF.
This is a wonderful and much needed initiative. Fighting for the animals and their environment is challenging and relentless. Very timely with all the National Grid/Energy projects that are being proposed and which will ruin more habitat and displace even more animals if they go ahead. Thank you for thinking of this great way to support people.
As a healthcare professional myself and an avid supporter of animal rights, I think this is a brilliant idea and shows that the activism may and can lead to burn out too! A lot of things that they see, hear and deal with can be so devastating that it can really affect someone’s mental and psychological well-being. Having avenues such as these, an open forum and resources led and given by experts themselves it such a wonderful step forward.
What an awesome initiative!! I can only imagine how awful the abuse & burnout. I am a “passive” activist, due to age, energy & health. I give financially, spread the word where I can. I still hope to do more in the future.
Thank you Beverly. Trust me when I say that compared with the majority who do nothing, you are far from being 'passive' - even if you aren't up to sprinting up and down a field anymore :)
What a fantastic idea PTW 👍👏✊❤️💖💖!! I honestly don't know how the brave sabs, monitors and yourselves manage, especially mental health wise and so I think that this will be a great and much needed initiative for many ❤️💖💖.
This is so heartwarming to read. No one can fully appreciate how much front line activists suffer after witnessing such barbaric acts on our beautiful wildlife by the minority of sick people in our country. Protect the Wild is going from strength to strength. Thank you for all you do for our beloved animals and people.
Personally,, I think feeling depressed and anxious about the world is ''normal'. A lot of counsellors would go into stuff like 'transference' and try to personalise the feelings,which can actually make people feel worse. I think sharing feelings with like minded people is vitally important. i would like tobe involved with this but, as a qualified counsellor myself, i would avoid the therapy route. I have been worrying about aninals and the environment for so long now that it is just 'normal'for me to be sad and worried.
Hi Lindsay. We work with some extraordinarily strong and self-aware people, and I think anyone reading our Substack accepts that the world is going to stress us out and cause us to be worried (I've been 'depressed' about biodiversity and habitat loss for decades). There's a big difference between knowing the world is far less than ideal, and having it dominate every feeling and dragging you down though.We're talking here about individuals who are living this every day, are deeply immersed in the suffering of animals, and are in a 'workplace' where burnout is very common and a sense of failure is very easy to fall prey to. What we're putting together won't be of interest to everyone, and we don't think for a moment we are here to 'fix' anyone. But if we can offer support and a space to those who want it, that's a good first step. Just talking things out has worked for me in the past and I want to give something back if I can, and so does Rob. if you would like to be involved please email us, if not that's fine too.
We live in an area with 3 fox hunts, at least one hare coursing pack and unwelcome regular visits by staghound packs from elsewhere in Devon. Our mental health has suffered, too. Being hyper-alert two days a week watching out for them, so we can get our animals to safety if they invade our garden, takes a toll. A couple of years ago I had to seek help with mental health because of that, and the anger and frustration I feel that these people get away with their crimes. I'm OK now, I've taught myself to cope better with it all, and I am endlessly grateful to the sabs and monitors who, as normal people, will be feeling what I've felt but a hundred times worse. This is such a good idea.
You're so right KittyKat. Sabs and monitors seem like superheroes, calm in the face of aggression, repeatedly having to refuse to be baited into responding to violence and threats - but of course they're 'normal' people too. It's our own experiences and listening to so many people on the front line that prompted Protect the Mind. If it even helps one person it will be worth it.
Poor you living amongst all those cruel psychos! Glad to hear you have found ways to cope with it.
Thank you, that's really nice of you! It's what all of us living in rural areas suffer from, and if we allowed it to it could ruin our lives.
I am so sorry for what you have had/have to go through KittyKat ❤️💖
Thank you Cara. If it ever ends for good we'll be having the biggest party EVER!
You are most welcome KittyKat ❤️. I sincerely hope that it does end for good (and very soon too!). Good on you 👍👏✊❤️💖💖!!
I think it’s brilliant that you are helping people with mental health problems! So often it is an area that is overlooked. You do such brilliant and necessary work for animals and people anyway, so doing this is another wonderful thing that you do!
Thank you Patricia :)
Being depressed about the state of the planet is NOT a mnetal health problem
YES IT IS, WITHOUT WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE, PEOPLES HEALTH BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY GETS WORSE. WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO WITHOUT BREATHING MORE POLLUTANTS OR RIVERS AND STREAMS KILLING OFF WILDLIFE AND TREES AND FLOWERS ETC WHICH BOTH ANIMAL AND HUMAN DEPEND ON TO LIVE?
What i am saying is that it is anatural reaction in sensitive people. Therapists ofen seek to find personal'ptroblems to expalin the anguish people feel at the persecution ofnature. I have had it happen tomeand it is just horrible/ and please don't use capitals when replying. That is shouting i was merely trying to join in the conversation. I won't do so again.
When i replied to your message i was just putting forward a view. People need countryside and wildlife to ease their stresses of everyday life, which means without it they endure mental health issues. With more and more people getting anixety and stressed, mental health issues are on the rise.Does that mean people are to sensitive of the views of other people. I always use capital letters as i think it is neater .
Fabulous idea! It's harrowing enough reading about the sickos persecuting wildlife....I can't imagine how it is for the sabs and monitors in the thick of it.
Thank you Vanessa :)
I think this is a brilliant idea and very much needed. I’m not able to go out in the field for health reasons, but I can only imagine the horrors. From my “arm chair” activism I often feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the suffering out there so for those of you out on the job it must be terrible. I totally support this initiative and thank you all for your constant hard work.
Thank you Julie :)
Bless you and good on you Julie 👍👏✊❤️💖💖!!
WITH ALL GOVERNMENTS BOTH RED AND BLUE, THE COUNTRYSIDE/WILDLIFE AND ANIMALS ARE BEING EXTERMINATED AT AN ALARMING RATE, WITH LYING POLITICANS STATING THAT THEY SUPPORT THE ENVIROMENT AND ANIMAL WELFARE, BUT THAN BUILD EVERYWHERE, MEANING THAT POLLUTION IS ADDED TO GREENHOUSE GASSES, MEANING MORE PEOPLE BEING KILLED OFF.
Sadly so very, very true David!!
This is a wonderful and much needed initiative. Fighting for the animals and their environment is challenging and relentless. Very timely with all the National Grid/Energy projects that are being proposed and which will ruin more habitat and displace even more animals if they go ahead. Thank you for thinking of this great way to support people.
Thank you Melissa :)
As a healthcare professional myself and an avid supporter of animal rights, I think this is a brilliant idea and shows that the activism may and can lead to burn out too! A lot of things that they see, hear and deal with can be so devastating that it can really affect someone’s mental and psychological well-being. Having avenues such as these, an open forum and resources led and given by experts themselves it such a wonderful step forward.
Thank you Yani for such a positive comment. It's much appreciated. :)
What an awesome initiative!! I can only imagine how awful the abuse & burnout. I am a “passive” activist, due to age, energy & health. I give financially, spread the word where I can. I still hope to do more in the future.
Thank you Beverly. Trust me when I say that compared with the majority who do nothing, you are far from being 'passive' - even if you aren't up to sprinting up and down a field anymore :)
I am only replying now. Thank you for your words💖
Bless you and good on you Beverly 👍👏✊❤️💖💖!!
What a fantastic idea PTW 👍👏✊❤️💖💖!! I honestly don't know how the brave sabs, monitors and yourselves manage, especially mental health wise and so I think that this will be a great and much needed initiative for many ❤️💖💖.
Thank you Cara. It's just one step, but hopefully one step in the right direction :)
You are most welcome Charlie ❤️! It is definitely a step in the right direction 😺👍✊❤️💖💖!
This is so heartwarming to read. No one can fully appreciate how much front line activists suffer after witnessing such barbaric acts on our beautiful wildlife by the minority of sick people in our country. Protect the Wild is going from strength to strength. Thank you for all you do for our beloved animals and people.
Thank you for the kind words Penny. much appreciated :)
Such an excellent initiative. Thank you 🙏🏻
Personally,, I think feeling depressed and anxious about the world is ''normal'. A lot of counsellors would go into stuff like 'transference' and try to personalise the feelings,which can actually make people feel worse. I think sharing feelings with like minded people is vitally important. i would like tobe involved with this but, as a qualified counsellor myself, i would avoid the therapy route. I have been worrying about aninals and the environment for so long now that it is just 'normal'for me to be sad and worried.
Hi Lindsay. We work with some extraordinarily strong and self-aware people, and I think anyone reading our Substack accepts that the world is going to stress us out and cause us to be worried (I've been 'depressed' about biodiversity and habitat loss for decades). There's a big difference between knowing the world is far less than ideal, and having it dominate every feeling and dragging you down though.We're talking here about individuals who are living this every day, are deeply immersed in the suffering of animals, and are in a 'workplace' where burnout is very common and a sense of failure is very easy to fall prey to. What we're putting together won't be of interest to everyone, and we don't think for a moment we are here to 'fix' anyone. But if we can offer support and a space to those who want it, that's a good first step. Just talking things out has worked for me in the past and I want to give something back if I can, and so does Rob. if you would like to be involved please email us, if not that's fine too.
How doi email you please. I can't find a link. Sorry