Wellbeing Day returns with a focus on community and self-care

An initiative established to support the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of eye care practitioners (ECPs) will return next month, as Wellbeing Day takes place on 17 May in the Midlands.

Now in its third year, the event was founded by two optometrists – Sheena Tanna-Shah and Piyus Tanna – with the aim of creating a space where ECPs, who so often focus on caring for others, can prioritise their own wellbeing.

“We’re always giving to patients, and this day is about giving back and helping people focus on themselves for once,” organiser, Sheena told OT.

A different kind of CPD

While the day includes CPD sessions, its content is intentionally designed around wellbeing, with a focus on relaxation, connection and personal growth.

Last year’s event featured activities such as yoga, ice baths and axe throwing, offering a unique way for practitioners to connect. This year’s programme introduces a range of new activities, including: a sound bath to promote relaxation through vibration and sound, a mindful “sip and paint” session focused on creativity rather than outcome, and a beginner-friendly Tai Chi and self-defence class.

All activities are designed to be inclusive and accessible, Sheena told OT.

The one-day event closes with a celebratory evening reception featuring an annual Optometry Hero Award, which recognises individuals across the profession for resilience and their impact on others.

Open to everyone, the accolade is awarded through peer nominations.

“What makes it special is that people nominate others. It creates a really powerful sense of appreciation and community.” Piyus explained.

Building connection in an isolating profession

Despite working closely with patients and colleagues, many optical professionals report feeling isolated, particularly when dealing with stress or burnout.

Wellbeing Day aims to address this. “We want people to feel like they belong, to feel supported and to be part of something bigger,” Sheena said.

Wellbeing Day was established as a result of the personal story of Sheena and is rooted in her journey with her own mental health.

Sheena shared with OT that her anxiety began in childhood, shaped by frequent moves and the challenge of repeatedly adjusting to new schools and environments.

“I always found it quite hard fit in,” she said, adding: “Every time I moved, I had to start again, and that really affected my confidence.”

Over time, this developed into severe social anxiety and everyday situations such as walking into a room, entering a café, and getting on a bus, became overwhelming due to a constant fear of judgment.

Well-meaning encouragement from her parents to be “more confident” or “more outgoing” led to a sense of not being enough for Sheena, and by the time she reached university, the pressure had intensified.

A relationship breakdown alongside academic struggles pushed her mental health to a critical point.

“I failed my first year,” Sheena shared. “The one thing I thought I was good at, my studies, was falling apart too and I couldn’t see the purpose of being here,” she added.

During her first year, Sheena attempted to end her life, an experience she describes as her lowest point.

Following this, the university helped her access professional support for the first time, and she was diagnosed with depression and began counselling.

“At that time, there wasn’t the awareness we have now. It felt really isolating and I thought I was the only one going through it,” she said.

Cultural stigma around mental health made it even harder to speak openly, Sheena explained, and for a long time, she confided only in her now-husband.

“Talking about emotions just wasn’t something we did,” she said, adding: “It felt like a weakness.”

Recovery was gradual, but through therapy, self-reflection and consistent effort, she began to rebuild her confidence and sense of self.

“I spent years thinking I wasn’t enough. Now, when those thoughts come up, I question them. I’ve learned how to be kinder to myself,” she said.

Today, Sheena describes her mental health as a constant journey, and daily habits such as walking, meditation, journaling and sharing conversations play a vital role in her wellbeing.

“When I look back at my journal from a year ago, I think ‘gosh’ at the things I was thinking then, versus the things I am thinking now, I’ve actually grown. Whereas if I didn’t write that, I wouldn’t realise how much I have grown in my mindset,” she said.

Sheena’s experience now underpins her work within the profession.

“I don’t want anyone else to feel as alone as I did,” she said.

“There is support out there, and there is hope, but sometimes you just need someone to help you take that first step,” she added.

Encouraging openness – especially among men

Having supported his wife through her wellbeing journey, Piyus has also learned to talk more openly about his own wellbeing.

Reflecting on challenges around mental health for men, he told OT that he has previously felt that there is stigma around men talking about their wellbeing due to a long-standing belief that men should be strong, resilient, and deal with problems on their own.

His perspective changed recently following several personal losses and deaths in his family including his sister in December, after which he found he needed to talk and open up.

“It’s the first time that I’ve probably broken down and the first time that I started to find things quite hard,” he said.

Piyus shared that he had “underestimated how much it had helped me, just talking about it.”

He added that what was particularly powerful about the experience was that it led to others around him sharing too.

“They started opening up about their experiences, and we talked about grief and things that they’ve gone through, and it just felt really powerful, because it felt like we were supporting one another,” he said.

“It’s not like you can solve it, and it’s not like we were trying to find a solution. But as soon as I became vulnerable, as soon as I started opening up, they were as well. I feel like that connection and our relationship went on a completely different level because of that vulnerability and because of actually talking about experiences,” he added.

This experience resulted in the establishment of informal ‘Man Talk’ online sessions hosted by the pair, which were designed to offer a safe space for open conversation and peer support.

Wellbeing Day takes place on 17 May. For more information, visit the event’s website. Or to book visit Eventbrite.