Mental Health Impacts of Slaughterhouse Work

Working in a slaughterhouse is difficult and dangerous work physically, but it also takes a severe toll on mental health. Slaughterhouse workers have lower psychological wellbeing compared to other professions, including those whose work is similar in terms of prestige and dirtiness. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress are all higher among slaughterhouse workers than others, including butchers, indicating that there is a unique psychological impact reserved for people who day after day are tasked with killing animals.

Half the people examined in one study suffered from stress symptoms, including common stress, nervousness, mental instability, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Some slaughterhouse workers report nightmares. Some suffer PITS (perpetration-induced traumatic stress) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Those who work directly on the slaughter line were found to exhibit higher rates of mental health problems but the impacts are not confined to them. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among female poultry processors has been found to be 80% higher than among other working women, even adjusting for variables.⁴