The Role of Stress and Burnout in Occupational Suicide

Burnout is a widespread issue affecting numerous occupations, namely those within what is considered the “helping profession.” The consequences of burnout within the workplace can result in a wide range of outcomes, with psychosocial stressors significantly influencing issues such as health problems, and in extreme cases, occupational suicide (Bhugra et al., International Review of Psychiatry 31:563–568, 2019). In fact, the association between burnout and suicidal ideation is consistently seen throughout the literature (Privitera et al., Journal of Hospital Administration 4:27–35, 2015; Yip and Caine, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 65:733–736, 2011). Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and even the unexpected spread of COVID-19 are all known contributors to the recent increase in occupational suicide. Shared risk factors among these professions may include isolation, heavy workloads, financial burden, lack of support, and unrealistic expectations (Bhugra et al., International Review of Psychiatry 31:563–568, 2019; Deacon and Brough, Australian Journal of Psychology 69:77–85, 2017). Understanding the role of stress and burnout in the workforce is essential for developing tailored interventions across various occupations. Likewise, preventative measures are critical to decrease burnout and deter suicide (Kaeding et al., Journal of Clinical Psychology 73:1782–1796, 2017). This chapter aims to examine the impact of stress and burnout in occupations that have high rates of suicidality, such as veterinarians, healthcare workers, first responders, and farmers. Additionally, the authors discuss how gender differences may precipitate professional and mental health obstacles and propose measures that can address and mitigate common risk factors.