title: Suicide in veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia: 2001-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Whether veterinarians have an elevated suicide rate compared with the general population is controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reported cases of suicide among veterinarians and veterinary nurses in Australia over the period 2001 to 2012 were investigated in a retrospective case-series study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The standardised mortality ratio of veterinarians (n = 18) was 1.92 (95% CI 1.14-3.03) and that of veterinary nurses (n = 7) to the general population was 1.24 (95% CI 0.80-1.85). Overdosing on drugs (pentobarbitone) was the main method of suicide in these occupations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reasons for veterinary suicides are likely to be multifactorial, including work- and life-related stressors, and individual characteristics. This research highlights the need for targeted suicide prevention and intervention for veterinarians.
authors: McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. allison.milner@unimelb.edu.au.
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Milner
authors: McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Niven
authors: McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Page
authors: Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: LaMontagne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017750:Animal Technicians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: intentional self-harm; suicide; veterinarians; veterinary nurses