More than 40 experts from around the world are calling on governments to “urgently think” about how to prevent suicide during the coronavirus pandemic.
There is growing concern about the far-reaching impact that the pandemic may have on people’s mental health, with consequences “likely to last longer and peak later” than the actual outbreak.
In an article in The Lancet Psychiatryexperts say there are suggestions that suicide rates will rise, but this is “not inevitable.”
In addition, a spike in suicides may resemble that in the aftermath of the Spanish flu and SARS.
A team of 42 researchers calls on governments to ‘urgently think’ about preventing suicide during the coronavirus pandemic (file image)
This includes providing financial assistance to citizens, such as food, housing and unemployment support. Pictured: EMTs take a patient to the emergency room at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, April 15
The group recommends getting more volunteers to mental health hotlines and training workers to speak to suicidal people. Pictured: Medical personnel remove an individual from an ambulance at an entrance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, April 20
The group of 42 researchers formed a group, the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration.
“Suicide is likely to become a more pressing issue as the pandemic spreads and has longer-term implications for the general population, the economy and vulnerable groups,” they write in The Lancet.
Prevention of suicide should therefore be urgently considered. The response should take advantage of, but go beyond, general mental health policies and practices. ‘
There are indications that suicides in the US increased during the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic and among the elderly in Hong Kong during the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003.
In addition, earlier this month, a Kaiser Family Foundation report found that four in ten adults – 45 percent – believed that concerns and stress related to the coronavirus negatively impacted their mental health.
This was a 32 percent increase that felt the same way in early March.
The researchers in the new article say the likely adverse effects of coronavirus “ could be exacerbated by anxiety, self-isolation, and social distance. ”
Suicide risk may also increase because of stigma towards people with COVID-19, their families and their caregivers.
The pandemic, in particular, has fueled racism and discrimination against Asian Americans.
Those with psychiatric disorders may experience worsening symptoms and others may develop new mental health problems, especially depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress, the group writes.
“These mental health problems will be experienced by the general population and those with a high degree of exposure to disease caused by COVID-19, such as frontline health workers and those who develop the disease.”
The Daily Beast reported that nurses and other frontline workers were evicted from their homes and faced with house discrimination by frightened landlords.
Not having a home to go to – or the fear of not having one – can increase the degree of anxiety and depression.
Mental health services need to develop clear pathways for distance assessment and care, while staff need to be trained to support new ways of working, they say.
Guides should be supported to retain or increase volunteers, while digital resources should be provided to those who have not previously worked with suicidal people.
Evidence-based online interventions should also be available, the researchers write.
Governments should provide financial safety nets, such as food, housing and unemployment support, to mitigate the effects of job losses and financial pressures.
They should also take into account a person’s current situation, as well as their future – with the researchers emphasizing how young people have interrupted their education and are “concerned about their prospects.”
Universities, colleges and schools need to find alternative ways of teaching and governments must be willing to provide them with financial support, they say.
“Social isolation, incarceration and loneliness contribute to the risk of suicide and are likely to increase during the pandemic, especially for survivors,” the researchers write.
“Providing community support to single people and encouraging family and friends to check in is helpful.”
The researcher describes easily accessible help for those who have lost loved ones as “crucial.”
Other concerns include the social impact of banning religious gatherings and funerals, violence and vulnerable migrant workers.
The researchers conclude: ‘These are unprecedented times. The pandemic will cause great suffering and make many people vulnerable to mental health problems and suicidal behavior.
“However, research data and experience with national strategies provide a strong foundation for suicide prevention.”
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