This week’s post, “How do veterinarians die,” highlights the challenges some veterinarians face keeping clinics operating, treating patients and ensuring clients stay happy. A disproportionate number turn to suicide as a result of problems. Pet owners in Santa Barbara, California, know all too well the realities of this crisis. Within a few months, they lost two beloved veterinarians to suicide.
Source: Santa Barbara Independent, March 8, 2018. Link.
In response to their deaths, the Santa Barbara Ventura Veterinary Medical Association organized an emergency meeting and call in Dr. Kathleen Ayl, a Valencia-based psychologist and grief support specialist who’s written a book on the subject, When Helping Hurts: Compassion Fatigue in the Veterinary Profession. (Available on Amazon here.)
INSIGHTS: Help is available. Vets4Vets® is a confidential support group for veterinarians operated by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). VIN is an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with more than 60,000 members. Link. The phone number is 530-794-8094. The email address is vets4vets@vinfoundation.org. In addition, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 800-273-TALK (8255).