Suicide rates in veterinary surgeons are among the highest of any occupation in Ireland.

Speaking at the 2019 Veterinary Ireland conference, Co Antrim-based vet David McKeown said the suicide rates in the veterinary profession are frighteningly high.

McKeown said mental health is an uncomfortable subject for many people to discuss, but it was something that the veterinary industry needed to address.

Mental health

“Suicide is really just the tip of the mental health iceberg,” said McKeown. “The majority of people don’t want to talk about their mental health if they’re feeling stress. This is the stigma we impose upon ourselves,” he added.

According to McKeown, one in 10 people have an experience of suicide and one in four people will have a mental health problem in their lives.

To support the mental health of Irish vets, Veterinary Ireland has launched a new service called Vet Support Ireland

Vets are particularly exposed to challenges to their mental health because they often work in isolation, they have long working hours with a poor work-life balance, going the extra mile for customers quickly becomes the norm and many suffer from compassion fatigue.

To support the mental health of Irish vets, Veterinary Ireland has launched a new service called Vet Support Ireland to help support vets, vet nurses and lay staff in their mental health and wellness. The new service is modelled on similar services in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The new service is manned by 11 trained supporters, who are either vets or vet nurses, providing support on a voluntary basis.

Irish vets can find out information about the service through a website at www.vetsupport.ie and contact the supporter they feel they can most relate to on a completely confidential basis.