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Trial Lecture – time and place
See Trial Lecture.
Adjudication committee
- First opponent: Senior Scientist Annette Erlangsen, Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention – DRISP,
- Second opponent: Associate Professor Magnhild Oust Torske, Nord University, Norway
- Third member and chair of the evaluation committee: Professor Michael Bretthauer, University of Oslo
Chair of the Defence
Professor Jan Ivar Røssberg, University of Oslo
Principal Supervisor
Professor II Erlend Hem, University of Oslo
Summary
Veterinarians have elevated suicide rates. There is scarce knowledge about variables associated with suicidal thoughts in veterinarians. The NORVET study is the first to investigate suicidal thoughts and help-seeking for mental health problems among veterinarians in Norway. A nationwide survey was distributed to licensed veterinarians. 75 % responded.
The 12-month prevalence of suicidal feelings, suicidal thoughts and serious suicidal thoughts were 27 %, 20 % and 5 %, respectively. This is higher than reported in similar surveys conducted among physicians and police. 30 % reported mental health problems in need of treatment. The veterinarians themselves most commonly reported work problems as contributing to both serious suicidal thoughts and mental health problems.
A novel finding in our study was an association between animal euthanasia and serious suicidal thoughts. Even though animal euthanasia has been suggested as a veterinary-specific risk factor for suicide, work variables alone does not explain such a complex phenomenon as suicidal thoughts among veterinarians.
We also investigated attitudes to assisted dying in humans. Overall, veterinarians’ attitudes to assisted dying in humans were comparable to those of the general population. Veterinarians working in companion animal practice had higher odds of positive attitudes to euthanasia in humans compared to veterinarians working in mixed clinical practice. This may suggest that animal euthanasia could affect veterinarians’ attitudes to death.
Only half of veterinarians with mental health problems had sought help. Among those with serious suicidal thoughts, half had sought help. The only independent variable associated with less help-seeking behaviour was working in production animal practice.
Additional information
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