5 Jobs You Didn’t Know Were Dangerous

There are allot of dangerous jobs in the world. When people think about jobs that are hazardous, usually they are thinking about occupations such as racecar drivers, astronauts, or soldiers. Therefore it might come as a surprise to learn that some jobs are perhaps even more dangerous in ways that you might never imagine. So, before you decide on a career path, join us for this episode of Five Minute Facts as we look at the top 5 professions that can be more likely to kill you than others.

Number 5: Pharmacists

Someone wanting to begin a career as a pharmacist can expect to first obtain a minimum of a 2 year degree in college, preferably a bachelors degree in a related subject curriculum. Then, they enter into a very competitive four years in pharmacy school. After that, expect a 2 year residency. Once licensed, you can then begin to experience the often thankless job of being a pharmacist.

Of course, if you are a perfectionist, then you may feel right at home. Dispensing medication requires constant attention, and even one small mistake can result in losing your job, along with all of the hard work getting there.

If you want to become a pharmacist, expect to work long hours, which often includes shiftwork as some pharmacies are operating 24 hours a day. Shiftwork has been shown to have a negative impact on mental health.

Having access to a wide range of drugs and armed with the knowledge of their effects might help explain the higher rates of suicide in this career path.

Pharmacists are 29% more likely to commit suicide than the average profession.

Number 4: Lawyers

It’s a famous line from one of Shakespeare’s plays, Henry the sixth, “Kill all the lawyers.”. But it seems that workload is lightened a bit with research showing that a surprising 40 percent of law school students suffer depression. In fact, depression seems to follow some throughout their career, with practicing lawyers experiencing depression rates nearly 4 times the rate of average professions. But why is that?

The journey to become a lawyer brings with it significant financial burden. Most graduate with substantial debt, and finding a job that meets their financial needs can be difficult. In order to establish themselves, they must work long hours and put in tireless effort.

Lawyers do not enjoy a good reputation from the public, and most are aware of this. The negative effect that client attorney privilege may have only adds to their moral struggle.

All of this pressure can add up, and some may feel the only way out of this career path with so much invested is suicide. This problem has become so alarming that some states in the US now require mandatory psychological evaluations for lawyers.

Lawyers are 33% more likely to commit suicide than the average profession.

Number 3: Veterinarians

Apparently, some veterinarians might just be as sick as a dog, literally.

Like many of the other professions on this list, veterinarians often work long hours, and the pressure on them to make proper decisions and work with precise skill is heavy. Most vets have a lifelong fondness for animals, and working with so many sick pets is bound to become depressing for some. Often it is necessary to put the animal down, and this can take its toll on mental health after a while, as feelings of sadness and depression can develop.

Studies also indicate that veterinarians often believe that they are already taking the best care of themselves that they can and delay medical treatment. As with pharmacists, they have access to many medications along with the knowledge of how to put an end to it all, if they feel they must.

It still isn’t clear why the suicide rate for vets is so high, but historically, this career can be dangerous to your health.

Veterinarians are 54% more likely to commit suicide than the average profession.

Number 2: Dentists

Dentists may be good for your smile, but many of them aren’t smiling themselves.

There are few places that people dread going to more than the dentist office, and this can create a depressing environment as a workplace.

The field of dentistry is very competitive, and the job requires extreme technical skill to perform to their patients satisfaction. While dentists can enjoy a good income, there is a significant cost to achieve this career path. Establishing yourself can be difficult, and stress can develop from the looming financial burden. Dentists experience stress from a number of factors, including long hours, complaints from patients, and overworking in an attempt to pay off debt.

All of these factors are believed to contribute to a high rate of depression among dentists. Armed with pharmaceutical knowledge and the means to use it, it’s easy for them to take the easy way out. Although the reasons are unclear, research shows that dentists are less likely to get help when a mental health crisis develops.

Dentists are 67% more likely to commit suicide than the average profession.

Number 1: Doctors

It may come as a surprise to some, but medical doctors represent the profession in which you are most likely to kill yourself. And after examining the others on this list, it is easy to see why.

4% of all doctor deaths are from suicide. To reach this staggering statistic, many factors come into play.

Doctors often work extremely long hours, and interactions with patients can be demanding. There is also the constant threat of malpractice lawsuits and required continuing education.

Many doctors are overwhelmed by medical school expenses, and it can take many years to pay off this debt. When stress and depression hits, access to medication is easy. And no one knows how to use medicine for fatal results better than a doctor.

Sometimes, those that heal us might be the ones suffering the most.

Doctors are 87% more likely to commit suicide than the average profession.

It’s important to point out that many people work in these professions without suffering from any emotional or mental illness. Just because you choose one of these career paths doesn’t mean that it will kill you. But keep in mind, no matter what you choose to do for a living, staying on top of your mental health is extremely important.

If you recognize the signs of stress, depression, and burnout early enough, you just may be at the top of your game in these professions that claim more lives than any others.