Understanding the roots of suicide in veterinarians to inform prevention: A scoping review

Veterinarians experience one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. Beyond fatalities, growing evidence documents suicidal ideation and non-fatal attempts, but findings are fragmented.

To map risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior-including ideation, attempts, and death among licensed veterinarians.

Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and PRISMA-ScR reporting standards, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and CINAHL (2009-2024). Eligible studies examined empirical associations between any risk or protective factor and suicidal outcomes in veterinarians. Data were extracted on study design, sample, country, outcome, and key findings.

Twelve studies from six countries met inclusion criteria (nine cross-sectional surveys, one qualitative interview study, one focus-group study, one retrospective mortality analysis). Suicide risk reflected the convergence of occupational stressors (workload, client conflict, euthanasia), psychological vulnerabilities (depression, perfectionism, burnout), demographic variables (gender, early-career status), and access to lethal means (particularly pentobarbital). Protective elements included peer and social support, job satisfaction, adaptive coping, and indirect secure storage of euthanasia agents. Evidence was limited by the predominance of cross-sectional self-report designs and by restricted geographic coverage.

Veterinarians face distinctive pressures that heighten the risk of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death. Multi-level strategies, such as supportive work environments, coping-skills training, peer-support programs, and evaluation of means-restriction policies, should be prioritized. Further longitudinal and cross-national studies are needed to clarify risk trajectories and strengthen preventive action.