Editor’s note: This series will touch on topics like suicide, depression and self-harm. If you or someone you know is in a mental health crisis, support is available. Please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Veterinarians work tirelessly to care for their animal patients, and research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the job can take a hefty toll on their mental health.

According to a 2019 study from the CDC, veterinarians are between two to four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

It’s a reflection of the immense pressure that comes with the profession.

WCTV’s limited series “Beneath the Rainbow Bridge” looks at the mental health struggles many veterinary professionals face. This week, WCTV will bring you three stories of loss, resilience and determination out of Tallahassee.

Dr. Jeffrey Godbey was a beloved Tallahassee veterinarian. In 2019, he took his life.

A graduate of Florida State University and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Godbey was a father, husband, son and friend.

Cynthia Godbey, Dr. Godbey’s mother, said work pressures weighed heavily on her son.

Depression, burnout, anxiety and panic attacks are just some of the issues veterinarians report feeling the most, according to a 2014 CDC report.

But those symptoms may not always be obvious to loved ones and friends. In the time since her son’s passing, Cynthia Godbey has reflected on the resources and support she feels he needed.

Since her son’s death, Cynthia Godbey has tried to transform her grief into change. She founded the Jeffrey Bear Foundation to honor her son. The nonprofit promotes mental health awareness and well-being among veterinarians and supports educational endeavors for veterinary students.

As someone who has experienced loss, she hopes the foundation’s efforts will become a larger movement to support people like her son.

And she is not alone in pushing for change.

The next part of “Beneath the Rainbow Bridge” will highlight another organization hoping to raise awareness. In Wednesday’s story, the founder of “Not One More Vet” will share how he was able to overcome his silent struggle, and ultimately help others in the field.

To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and X (Twitter).

Have a news tip or see an error that needs attention? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.

Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.