Being an activist is incredibly challenging. It’s demanding work—both physically and mentally—and it’s easy to overlook our own mental health while dedicating ourselves to making the world a better place. Activists often face violence, intimidation, and hostility from those intent on harming wildlife, not to mention the harrowing and traumatic experiences of witnessing extreme cruelty toward animals. These experiences are far from normal, and we recognise the toll they take.
That’s why we’ve launched Protect the Mind—a mental health support initiative designed to provide tools, resources, and guidance to those protecting wildlife.
As part of this initiative, we’ve partnered with Dr. Ishani Rao to deliver a series of pre-recorded video sessions covering key mental health topics, along with open and interactive calls tailored specifically for wildlife activists. On this page, you’ll find all the recorded sessions, details about the project, and schedules for upcoming live sessions.
Dr Ishani Rao is an NHS GP and urgent care doctor specialising in climate change, plant-based lifestyle medicine and mental health. She has hosted talks with organisations such as the Royal College of GP’s, UK parliament, Vegan Camp Out and NHS sustainability teams. Ishani achieved her medical degree and BSc in Women’s Health from King’s College London and is currently taking a masters in global health policy with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has studied courses including ‘The Health Implications of Climate Change’ with Harvard and is certified by the Government of Kerala in Ayurvedic medicine. Ishani is proud to be an involved member of the brilliant organisations Eco Medics and Plant Based Health Professionals. If you can’t find Ishani then she is likely underwater working on conservation scuba diving projects, or hanging out with her 21 year old rescue cat Mr Pinks. Buckets of Love is her fundraising project where we enjoy events such as cinema screenings, well-being retreats, raves, and litter-picking walks. We have distributed hundreds of Christmas presents for the homeless and built three wells for clean water for villages in South India through these wonderful community events. Please get involved.
