- by GH
- The Guardian
- Issue #2201
Women are less prone to suicide than men, but the figures still point to a tragedy that should be prevented if possible. The latest complete data available on suicide nationally is for 2024. It shows 777 female deaths, or 23.5 per cent of all suicide deaths. A major review by Monash University and the Sax Institute found high suicide risk in emergency and medical services, veterinary work, arts and entertainment, and transport.
Risks are particularly high for women doctors and nurses – almost four times greater than women in other careers. Workers in this sector experience elevated rates of psychological distress and burnout, resulting in suicidal thoughts. In 2018 the Medical Journal of Australia warned that a system-wide change was needed to support doctors’ physical and mental health, and tackle the tragic problem of suicide amongst the health workforce.
A number of pressures affect women in medicine, including gender discrimination, barriers to career advancement, and balancing demanding careers with disproportionate caring and domestic responsibilities. High expectations of perfection and the fear of professional consequences cause mental health issues.
There’s an overlap with other areas. Workplaces with high psychological demand and little autonomy are of major concern. Heavy workloads and exposure to trauma are common among paramedics, police, firefighters, and emergency department staff, who are repeatedly exposed to death, violence and serious injury, contributing to PTSD, depression and suicidal thoughts. Veterinarians, doctors, farmers and some emergency workers have access to medications and firearms, increasing the likelihood that any attempted suicide will be fatal.
Long working hours, fatigue from prolonged shifts, night shifts and sleep disruption increase the risk of depression, anxiety and burnout. Workplaces with persistent bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment are major contributors to poor mental health and suicidal behaviour, particularly when workers feel they are unable to report their concerns.
Veterinary science, like nursing, is a majority-women profession. Female vets outnumber male vets by more than two to one. Veterinarians face a combination of risks. The frequent euthanasia of animals, followed by compassion fatigue, causes moral distress. Financial pressures, working with difficult clients, long hours of work, and professional isolation bring on suicidal thoughts. Having access to powerful euthanasia drugs leads to high rates of successful suicide.
Suicidal thoughts are common across the population, so having access to the means makes a difference. This may be why the gun-loving US has a higher suicide rate than Australia. So for medical and veterinary professions, access to powerful euthanasia drugs can lead to high rates of successful suicide.
In February 2025, the Australian government and the National Suicide Prevention Organisation released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035. It provides a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide, including high-quality effective supports, and efforts to address the circumstances that lead to suicidal distress. The Strategy aims to unify the efforts of governments, communities, and service providers to improve suicide prevention.
Many experts argue that current measures are inadequate as staff shortages create excessive workloads. Burnout continues to rise due to mandatory overtime, shift work, and emotional labour. Psychological injuries are often treated only after workers become unwell rather than being prevented.
The Strategy is a good thing, but in a nation where the government’s priority is keeping employers happy, there’s an element of pressing on the brake and the accelerator at the same time.
