Vet suicide rate

[M.F.]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...7e1948d55f4_story.html?utm_term=.519150c71e80

For me, it’s about treating everyone kindly. I have a lovely friend who lives in Oregon, US, who runs an annual community event for a month for Waging Kindness. She gave me a Wage Kindness fridge magnet. It’s a good reminder every time I open the fridge. Kinda sad that one needs the reminder. I shall remember it doubly so when next we visit our vet. One of the comments in the article was that clients second guess their vets. I don’t think it should be seen as problematic to ask questions and seek second opinions. But it can be done with kindness.

 

[Lab_adore]

I couldn't agree more @M.F. and this is a reminder to me. How shocking that this is what is happening to vets everywhere

 

[Xena Dog Princess]

Yes, I have a friend who's a vet. There's only one vet school in NZ and the graduating class isn't huge. By the time my friend was almost 30 there had been 3 suicides from her class, iirc they were all practising in rural areas. She said that many vets get out of the game by the time they're 30 - they quite often go on to become reps or do other jobs in the animal industry.

 

[Cath]

How sad. I can't read the link, but I do agree that everyone should be treated kindly. Our vets are lovely and so hard working.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Very sad.
Totally get it.
Being "self employed" and managing your business as well as the demands of such a job is physically and very emotionally draining.

 

[Selina27]

Goodness that's so sad, it's good that you posted this @MF. I can well see how this happens, they do at times face very hard ethical situations, I know but I hadn't realized the toll it was all taken on the profession. For myself, as a nurse, I can well understand the "skew" dealing with death can have on one, I've never felt suicidal but have definitely wanted to leave the profession at times.
I know a lovely youngster training to be a vet, she's bright but not so clever that it is easy for her, now in her 4th year she's had to retake some exam every year right from A levels. She has very little free time in which to earn any money, as her vacations are taken up gaining the necessary practical experience. Now her friends have graduated from other courses, including her younger sister who is nicely set up with a well paid job.
I think fatigue has already set in, and I know her parents are concerned for her.

 

[Atemas]

A very interesting article. Our vets is a big practice and I would like to think they have a support network and attention given to emotional well being. My modus operandi is always to treat people how I like to be treated myself but I am sure vets have some very tricky customers to deal with.

 

[Jen]

I don’t think it should be seen as problematic to ask questions and seek second opinions.

I agree with this but I also think the internet has had a huge impact on certain professions and it can be extremely frustrating and disheartening at times.

In my role the amount of google lawyers I come across who are constantly second guessing you and quoting stuff at you that they’ve misinterpreted or misunderstood is really troubling. It can also make you feel really undermined and incompetent when you’re trying to do your best for someone and they’re going to make the situation worse and you know it.

It does make an already stressful job extra stressful and you worry about what they’re going to do after they’ve left your office as well. I can see this would be even worse if you were a real animal lover and were worried about the care the animals were receiving.

(That’s not to say professionals are always right by the way, everyone makes mistakes. I can just see how that particular aspect can really wear you down).

 

[chrisc831]

My great niece is due to graduate from vet school in 18 months time, in the U.S. She is not the most psychologically strong young lady, so this is a worry. I’ll pass the article on to my sister (her grandma). Thankyou for sharing it.

 

[Selina27]

I agree with this but I also think the internet has had a huge impact on certain professions and it can be extremely frustrating and disheartening at times.

Yes, I completely agree, I've seen it happen in the GP surgery I was attached to as a district nurse.

 

[Ashley]

Having recently been reading vet and vet clinic reviews, people say and post horrible things about vets online. They take the brunt of the blame for all unfortunate circumstances. In my opinion, it's a very tough job - dealing with morons who bring in young dogs to be put down as they are a burden (my vet got her dog this way, by taking him home instead), simply seeing people unable to afford proper care, and so forth. It would be very difficult to be an animal lover and not be worn down mentally and emotionally. I grew up in a vet college town, and I do know many vets who left the profession or work in administrative roles, making more money with less stress and better hours.