09/18/2025
By Rhinebeck Equine
🍂 September is Su***de Prevention Month. Veterinarians are at an increased risk of su***de when compared to other professions in the United States. It is time to raise awareness and take action.
🍂 The CDC published a study in 2018 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA). The research concluded that “female veterinarians were 3.5 times as likely, and male veterinarians were 2.1 times as likely, to die from su***de as the general population.”
🍂 The study determined that not one factor led to su***de, but a combination of factors including long work hours, work overload, practice management responsibilities, educational debt, poor work-life balance and access.
🍂 In a December 2023 survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the number of US veterinarians in clinical practice was 82,704. And of those veterinarians only 4.1% (3,972 veterinarians) are practicing equine medicine. Did you know that the survey revealed that within five years, 50% of these veterinarians leave the field? And did you know that the horse population in the USA is roughly 6.5 million horses?
🍂 Often times, veterinary professionals are juggling their career and personal life. Veterinarians, technicians, assistants, receptionists and managers are important, compassionate, dedicated and critical team members providing knowledgeable and skilled care to your horses. We genuinely love our patients and want to do right by them and their owners; however, the industry is often plagued with negativity from many sources including social media. Let’s start a comment and photo thread of kindness for the RE veterinarians, technicians, assistants, receptionists and managers. Or better yet the next time you see your veterinarian and their technician or assistant or talk to a receptionist - remind them how much you value them and their time.
🍂 Su***de and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988.
🍂 Not One More Vet, Inc: A resource for veterinarians and their staff members.
American Association of Equine Practitioners
