Interventions with potential to improve the mental health and wellbeing of UK veterinary surgeons

Vet Rec. 2010 Apr 24;166(17):518-23. doi: 10.1136/vr.b4796.

Abstract

The proportion of UK veterinary surgeons who die by suicide as opposed to other causes is approximately four times that of the general population, and around twice that of other healthcare professionals. Recent research suggests that veterinary surgeons report high levels of psychological distress. This paper proposes a portfolio of evidence-based interventions, for both organisations and individuals, which have the potential to improve mental health and wellbeing in the veterinary profession.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Burnout, Professional
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Mental Health*
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress, Psychological*
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data
  • Suicide Prevention*
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology
  • Veterinarians / psychology*
  • Workload