We know that between 1 in four and 1 in 6 people in the general population will experience a mental health problem each year; women are slightly more likely (1 in 5) than men (1 in 8) to do so. By 2030, it is estimated that there will be approximately two million more adults in the UK with mental health problems than there were in 2013.
Compared to the general population, there is evidence of elevated psychological distress in the veterinary profession with higher levels of:
- anxiety
- depressive symptoms
- suicidal thoughts
- suicide risk
This is not just a UK problem; similar findings have been reported in almost all countries where research has been conducted.