Firebrand Aussie senator exposes the silent epidemic killing some of Australia's most essential and trusted workers

Former veterinarian-turned-MP calls for an inquiry into silent epidemic Rates of suicide among vets is four times higher than average  READ MORE: Fitness nurse and veterinarian takes her own life during lockdown

An outspoken Australian senator and former veterinarian has put a spotlight on the alarming number of vets who are taking their own lives.

One Nation MP Sarah Game told Daily Mail Australia vets are four times more likely to die by suicide when compared to the rest of the population.

Ms Game is calling for an inquiry into this alarming statistic and also to find out why so many vets are leaving the industry in their droves.

She also wants to 'bust' the myth that vets are killing themselves simply because they are 'compassionate' who become 'very stressed and worn down by dealing with sick animals' - when in fact there is a wider issue with the veterinary industry. 

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One Nation MP Sarah Game (pictured with her dog Emma) said vets are four times more likely to die by suicide when compared to the rest of the Australian population

Ms Game is calling for an inquiry into this alarming statistic and also to find out why so many vets are leaving the industry in their droves

'We need to be looking at why these very intelligent, very resilient people who have survived school, survived the pressure of getting good grades at school, and have survived [obtaining] a very demanding degree and yet they're getting into the profession, and a lot of them are leaving,' she said.

'My understanding is that almost half [of veterinarians] at any one time want to get out, and a lot of the remaining ones are not happy - and we've also got the extreme end which is people taking their lives at a high rate.'

Ms Game said vets receive an average salary of between $80,000 and $100,000, which was not proportionate to the long, intense hours they work.

A study by Adelaide University found veterinarians working between 40 to 50 hours a week were being paid as low as $60,000 a year.

'I'm no longer a veterinarian, and certainly I understand that vet bills are difficult for people, especially in the cost-of-living crisis that we're in now,' she said. 

'But the reality is, the veterinarian that you're seeing isn't on a high salary.'

Ms Game's proposed inquiry would examine why veterinary bills are so high while salaries are so low, as well as what compensations veterinarians should be afforded.

The inquiry has the support of the parents of Sophie Putland, a 33-year-old vet from Victoria who took her own life after she was relentlessly abused by an angry pet owner.

Ms Game's proposed inquiry has the support of the parents of Sophie Putland, a 33-year-old vet from Victoria who took her own life after she was relentlessly abused by an angry owner

Garry and Kate Putland launched Sophie's Legacy to raise awareness of the pressures vets are under as they care for people's sick animals.

Ms Game said she wanted to see a rating systems implemented that rates veterinary workplaces on how well they care for employees' mental wellbeing.

'That should incentivise workplaces to say, "We are a healthy work environment. We look after our pets, but we also look after our vets",' she said.

According to the Australian Veterinary Association, vets have some of the highest rates of suicide among any profession, at about four times the national average.

Vets take their own lives at twice the rate of other healthcare professionals, such as doctors and dentists.

'You're actually dealing with a professional that is under a high workload, pressure and stress and lots of people don't know that.

'The reason why people choose [veterinary medicine] like myself is because it's associated with being a wonderful, happy industry dealing with saving animals.

'And the awareness of the stress of the profession isn't so well known.'

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