In a recent study, authors surveyed SCAVMA members, licensed Alabama veterinarians, and U.S. veterinary association executive directors.7 The results? Depressing.
Of those surveyed, 88% to 96% believed that veterinary medicine is very stressful, with stress increasing over the past 10 years; 19% of veterinary students had been diagnosed with mental illness and 40.7% had a family history of drug addiction or alcoholism; 95% of executive directors believed there is a serious problem of burnout, and 40% knew of one or more veterinarians who had committed suicide in the previous 3 years.7
Of all respondents, 24% had considered suicide since starting veterinary school. That’s one in 4 of us, folks!
I personally believe there are other causes of this trend:
1. The scientist in us often does not want to admit to the “weakness” of mental health disease. We’re pretty unaware of our own mental health, putting us at higher risk.
2. We’re caring and compassionate, and we work hard to save lives, contributing to compassion fatigue only to have pet owners make us feel like we’re greedy and selfish for trying to make a living.
3. We have terrible work–life balance. Most of my colleagues, like me, are workaholics, leading to physical fatigue and strain in our personal lives.