September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — and for those of us working in veterinary medicine, this conversation couldn’t be more important.
Veterinary professionals face a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to the general population. This isn’t a reflection of weakness. It’s the result of a profession that demands so much.
Why Veterinary Professionals Are at Greater Risk
The veterinary workplace carries a unique set of pressures. Daily exposure to animal suffering and euthanasia, long and irregular hours, demanding clients, financial stress, and the weight of professional perfectionism all take a serious toll. Add to this the reality that veterinary professionals often have access to lethal means and the knowledge of how to use them — and the risk becomes even more urgent.
Perhaps most damaging of all is the culture of silence. Stigma around mental health, fear of professional consequences, and a lack of psychological safety in many workplaces mean that those who are struggling often suffer alone.
Building a Safer Workplace Culture
The good news is that suicide prevention isn’t about predicting who will be affected — it’s about creating environments where risk is reduced and help-seeking is normalized.
A psychologically safe workplace is one where:
- Mental health is discussed openly and without judgment
- Staff feel comfortable disclosing struggles without fear of retaliation
- Managers respond with genuine compassion and practical support
- Barriers to accessing mental health resources are actively removed
This kind of culture doesn’t happen by accident. It has to be intentionally built and consistently maintained.
The Power of Regular Check-Ins
One of the simplest and most effective tools available to veterinary managers is also one of the most overlooked — the regular check-in.
Consistent, supportive conversations between managers and staff can help identify early signs of stress, fatigue, or disengagement before they escalate into crisis. They create a sense of connection that is especially vital for staff who may feel isolated. And perhaps most importantly, they send a clear message: you matter here.
Check-ins don’t need to be formal or lengthy. A five-minute conversation at the start of a shift, a genuine “how are you doing?” that invites an honest answer — these small acts of human connection can make a profound difference.
Take Action
In recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, consider what small changes your practice could make. Could you introduce regular check-ins? Share mental health resources with your team? Could you simply start a conversation?
Veterinary professionals give so much to the animals and people they serve. They deserve workplaces that give something back.
If you or a colleague are struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or contact a crisis support line in your area.
