Suicide Risk and School Related Stressors in Veterinary Students

Authors

Deanna ArnoldFollow

Abstract

Compared to the general population of the United States, veterinarians are at an increasingly higher risk for suicide. This is commonly associated with stressful work environments, long work hours, poor work-life balance, client demands and complaints, and large amounts of euthanasia procedures. While many studies have been performed to confirm the above statements, few to no studies have been done on students currently enrolled in veterinary school to assess their mental health. This study will survey graduate school students in this field and will evaluate their mental health state and risk factors towards suicide. Through comparing the results of this survey to previous studies on the mental health and suicide risk of licensed veterinarians, I am hoping to pinpoint when the increased risk starts. By pinpointing the trend beginning, programs will be able to target help and treatment options better suited for decreasing the rate of suicide among individuals in the field of veterinary medicine.

Recommended Citation

Arnold, Deanna (2022) "Suicide Risk and School Related Stressors in Veterinary Students," Steeplechase: An ORCA Student Journal: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/steeplechase/vol5/iss2/4