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Study Shows Vets are at High Risk of Suicide

by Rajshri on Mar 26 2010 9:20 PM

The suicide rate among veterinarians is about twice that of doctors and dentists, says a new study.

"Veterinary surgeons are often asked to end the lives of animals, either directly in the case of euthanasia, or indirectly in the case of involvement in the slaughter of meat producing livestock," neuroscientists Mr David Bartram and Dr David Baldwin, of the University of Southampton, said in a paper in the Veterinary Record.

They also said that poisoning was the most common method used to end lives both among male and female vets.

"Direct or indirect exposure to the suicidal behaviour of others can influence attitudes and increase vulnerability to suicide. Knowledge of individual suicides can travel readily through the social networks of a small profession," the neuroscientists explained.

Depression and suicide were also common among vets as they had isolated practices and no social life.

Source-Medindia
RAS


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