title: Risk factors for suicide, attitudes toward mental illness, and practice-related stressors among US veterinarians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of suicide risk factors, attitudes toward mental illness, and practice-related stressors among US veterinarians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  11,627 US veterinarians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between July 1 and October 20, 2014, a Web-based questionnaire was made available through the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), VIN News Service, JAVMA News, and email messages to US veterinarians sent by a veterinary medical association, agriculture or livestock department, or health department of each state (except Maine) and Puerto Rico.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 11,627 respondents, 3,628 (31%) were male. Modal age category was 30 to 39 years, and modal range for years practicing veterinary medicine was 10 to 19 years. There were 7,460 (64%) respondents who primarily practiced small animal medicine, and 4,224 (36%) who were practice owners. There were 1,077 (9%) respondents with current serious psychological distress. Since leaving veterinary school, 3,655 (31%) respondents experienced depressive episodes, 1,952 (17%) experienced suicidal ideation, and 157 (1%) attempted suicide. Currently, 2,228 (19%) respondents were receiving treatment for a mental health condition. Only 3,250 of 10,220 (32%) respondents somewhat or strongly agreed that people are sympathetic toward persons with mental illness. The most commonly reported practice-related stressor was demands of practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this survey, approximately 1 in 11 veterinarians had serious psychological distress and 1 in 6 experienced suicidal ideation since leaving veterinary school. Implementing measures to help veterinarians cope with practice-related stressors and reducing barriers veterinarians face in seeking mental health treatment might reduce the risk for suicide among veterinarians.
authors.forename: Randall J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nett
authors.forename: Tracy K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Witte
authors.forename: Stacy M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Holzbauer
authors.forename: Brigid L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Elchos
authors.forename: Enzo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Campagnolo
authors.forename: Karl J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Musgrave
authors.forename: Kris K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Katie M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kurkjian
authors.forename: Cole F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Vanicek
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: O'Leary
authors.forename: Kerry R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Pride
authors.forename: Renee H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Funk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D011364:Professional Practice; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D018634:Veterinarians / Q000523:psychology*