Citation

Milner AJ, Niven H, Page K, Lamontagne AD. Aust. Vet. J. 2015; 93(9): 308-310.

Affiliation

Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Wiley-Blackwell Pub.)

DOI

10.1111/avj.12358

PMID

26313208

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Whether veterinarians have an elevated suicide rate compared with the general population is controversial.

METHODS: Reported cases of suicide among veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia over the period 2001 to 2012 were investigated in a retrospective case-series study.

RESULTS: The standardised mortality ratio of veterinarians (n = 18) was 1.92 (95% CI 1.14-3.03) and that of veterinary nurses (n = 7) to the general population was 1.24 (95% CI 0.80-1.85). Overdosing on drugs (pentobarbitone) was the main method of suicide in these occupations.

CONCLUSION: The reasons for veterinary suicides are likely to be multifactorial, including work- and life-related stressors, and individual characteristics. This research highlights the need for targeted suicide prevention and intervention for veterinarians.

Language: en