A romanticised image of veterinary work as “all puppies and kittens” masks the disturbing reality that vets are four times more likely to die by suicide than the Australian general population | wtuohy
, have revealed the dire effects on the mental health of vets and veterinary nurses — especially those who are young women — of owners who are kind to their pets but not always to their vets.
A smaller study by Dr Nadine Hamilton, a psychologist who treats only vet workers and did her PhD research into why poor mental health and suicide were prominent in the field, found 70 per cent of vets said they knew a veterinary colleague who had died by suicide and that the public was largely unaware of this.
While emphasising the many good aspects of the career, Orr said vets needed far greater support, including $3 million over five years to implement findings of the association’s wellbeing research. A round-table event later this year will also work on mental health solutions. Melbourne vet Abby Main said she had been attracted to the profession by her interest in science and medicine and her love for animals, and because “I feel that I make a real difference”.
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