When you think about veterinarians what generally comes to mind? Some people might think about cute furry animals or maybe some people more familiar with the profession realize that the ER and night shifts can be intense. But what most people don’t know is how stressful this environment actually is and the real life consequences it can have. According to the CDC, those in veterinary medicine are more than twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population. The veterinary industry is currently experiencing a nation-wide mental health crisis.

Overworked and understaffed, veterinary workers often find themselves struggling with long hours. The national shortage of veterinarians and technicians caused by the pandemic exacerbated the situation, leading to chronic stress and burnout. Although as Kathy and other veterinarians we interviewed mentioned, it’s really the difficult conversations with owners about their beloved pets that take the most toll on them. Together with owners they often have to make heartbreaking decisions due to financial constraints and decide when to take a life. Meanwhile, very few veterinarians have spoken openly about the impact on their mental health due to lack of awareness and longstanding stigma.