Veterinarians face high mental health risks, including suicide, due to professional demands and working conditions globally.
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Mental health issues are widespread across different social groups, ages, and professions. Studies indicate that veterinarians face a higher risk of suicide compared to others; for instance, a 2019 CDC analysis showed women in the profession had a 3.5 times greater probability of dying by suicide than others, and men had a 2.1 times greater probability. European research further suggests that suicide rates among veterinarians double those of other medical workers and quadruple the general population rate. While international evidence exists, Spanish experts caution against directly applying foreign data due to social and cultural differences. The problem extends beyond suicide, encompassing burnout, anxiety, and depression. Risk factors for veterinarians include the vocational aspect of their work, which involves high responsibility concerning animals (over 15 million companion animals in Spain), constant exposure to illness and death, increased aggression (60% report experiencing violence), intense workloads with on-call duties, difficulty balancing work and personal life, and low economic and social recognition. In other European countries, such as France, chronic overwork leading to “veterinary deserts” is noted, alongside high suicide risks and increased attacks. Stressors in Lithuania include emotional responsibility, difficult clinical outcomes, demanding clients, and lack of rest. A 2023 study found that the emotional responsibility of caring for animals significantly impacted veterinarians’ well-being, with nearly 97% stating animal death negatively affected them emotionally. In Hungary, the frequency of facing death is linked to suicide rates, and euthanasia is viewed as a way to end suffering rather than solely a tragedy. The rise of artificial intelligence offering unverified diagnoses is also mentioned. Some countries are implementing support; for example, Poland launched a support program after surveys showed high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among veterinarians. In Spain, calls are made for more data collection and addressing structural causes like poor working conditions and low salaries, alongside combating aggression. A mental health psychologist emphasizes that suicide is multifactorial, with professional roles acting as vulnerability factors due to sustained stressors like overwork and high responsibility, rather than being a sole determinant of suicidal behavior.
