It is widely known that the rates of psychological distress and suicide are higher among veterinarians (especially females) compared to the general population. However, you may be surprised to learn that veterinarians also have a more pronounced stigma regarding mental illness and treatment compared to the average person.

A study published in 2015 investigated risk factors for suicide, practice-related stressors, and attitudes toward mental illness by surveying more than 11,000 veterinarians in the United States. Of the information gained by the veterinarians’ survey responses, what struck me the most was that less than 32% of veterinarians somewhat or strongly agreed that people are caring towards others with mental illness (in comparison to more than 60% of US adults who agree with that statement). Immediately after reading that, I wondered which veterinarians exhibit this stigma towards mental illness and where does that stigma come from?

A study published just last month in JAVMA sought to answer these questions by delving deeper into the data obtained during the 2015 survey. Specifically, they assessed the veterinary respondents who provided answers for both of the following statements:

• “Treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives” (assessing attitudes about mental health treatment effectiveness)
• “People are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness” (assessing attitudes about social support)

Survey respondents indicated whether they strongly agreed, somewhat agreed, were unsure or undecided, somewhat disagreed, or strongly disagreed with each statement. Respondents who provided answers for both statements (n = 9,522) were included in the study, which then investigated the demographic and practice variables associated with negative attitudes towards each statement.

Overall, 3.1% of surveyed veterinarians had a negative attitude toward treatment effectiveness, meaning they somewhat or strongly disagreed that treatment can help people with mental illness lead normal lives. The odds of this negative attitude were higher for males versus females, solo versus non-solo practitioners, those with evidence of serious psychological distress, and those reporting suicidal ideation after graduating from veterinary school. More years of practice experience was a significant overall predictor of having a negative attitude toward treatment effectiveness.

More concernedly, 47.3% of surveyed veterinarians had a negative attitude toward social support, meaning they somewhat or strongly disagreed that people are generally caring and sympathetic to people with mental illness. The odds of this negative attitude were higher for females, solo practitioners, those not belonging to a veterinary association, and those with evidence of serious psychological distress, depression during or after veterinary school, and suicidal ideation since graduating from veterinary school. Older age was a significant overall predictor of having a negative attitude toward social support.

For decades, it has been understood that individuals with a mental health-related stigma are less likely to seek mental health care. This is especially concerning given that veterinarians with psychological distress or mental illness appear more likely to have a mental health-related stigma. In the general population, mental health stigmas usually stem from personal experiences, perceptions, or concerns regarding negative societal reactions to mental illness and is associated with poorer adherence to mental health treatment.

So, how is it that a large proportion of veterinarians who are intelligent, compassionate, and scientifically-minded care providers have a stigma regarding mental health treatment? It’s possible that they have had a negative experience (or experiences) with a mental health provider, employee assistance program, or workplace counselor. Although these initiatives have become increasingly available within veterinary hospitals and academic settings in recent years, a negative experience may result in a negative attitude towards mental illness treatment effectiveness and a lack of desire to seek treatment in the future.

Likewise, veterinarians exposed to a toxic or unsupportive work environment or who have worked under a supervisor with limited compassion or understanding regarding mental health may develop the belief that people with mental illness will not be treated with care or sympathy. The fact that these veterinarians are more likely to practice alone and not be members of veterinary associations is interesting and leads me to wonder if they chose to isolate themselves further because of their negative social beliefs or if their negative social beliefs are perpetuated by the fact that they are isolated in their professional lives. In my experience, belonging to a provincial veterinary organization that offers free mental health support for their members, as well as mental health first aid training twice every year, has affirmed my belief that others do care about the mental health of veterinary professionals.

It is also possible that negative beliefs towards social support developed earlier in life, after a negative personal experience or lack of support during veterinary school. During my residency, after I euthanized my dog I remember experiencing grief that progressed to severe depression. One day I overheard one of my co-workers say to someone “can’t she just get over it already?” I was hurt, confused, and embarrassed. I look back now and recognize that this individual was probably dealing with her own “stuff” that was being triggered as a result of my depressed behavior. Thankfully that encounter has not prevented me from continuing to seek support for my mental health, but I can imagine how others might have responded differently after such an experience.

Certainly, circumstances have changed dramatically and may account for the strong association between age and negative beliefs regarding social support. Twenty years ago, very few veterinary schools had social workers or counseling services offered; however, mental health support is becoming the norm on veterinary campuses today with full time social workers or time off for counseling appointments embraced more frequently at veterinary schools.

I believe this information offers a stepping stone towards improving the mental health stigma that persists in the veterinary profession. I hope that the next large veterinary survey assessing veterinarians’ beliefs about mental health treatment and social support will show that veterinarians have let previous stigmas go and willingly and openly seek mental health support.