Can we expect an increased suicide rate due to Covid-19?

Abstract

Human disasters come in all shapes and sizes including wars, terrorist violence, natural events, economic recessions and depressions as well as infection. As a species more fragile than we often allow, humans would be expected to adversely react to these types of disasters in terms of mental ill health and possibly suicidal behaviour leading to increased demands on the Mental Health services. This narrative historical paper examines relevant studies into how previous disasters affected mental health and suicidal behaviour. The characteristics of what is known of the current Covid-19 disease are analysed and compared to other types of disasters with a view to gaining some insight into what we might expect. Of all the types of disasters, economic recession appears most toxic. Mitigating the worst effects of recession appears to be protective. Particularly vulnerable groups are identified in whom we might expect an increase in suicidal behaviour.

‘The dual pandemic’ of suicide and COVID-19: A biopsychosocial narrative of risks and prevention

“…Most studies have discussed suicidal risk following acute traumatic events like natural calamities. The pandemic being a chronic phenomenon with uncertain and sustained biopsychosocial effects for months to come is different from them, and thus that research cannot be translated to relevance for the current crisis ( Devitt, 2020 ). Suicide rates had increased during the classic ‘pestilences’ of the bubonic plague ( Benedictow and Benedictow, 2004 ).…”

What could we learn from SARS when facing the mental health issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak? A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan

“…Other studies about SARS-related mental health issues were conducted in the doctors 14 , nurses [14][15][16] , and overall hospital workers 17 . In addition, even though several studies have warned of a potential rise of suicides in the COVID-19 18,19 , there were limited reports on the topic of post-SARS suicides 20,21 . Therefore, a nationwide, populationbased, long-term study on the topic for psychiatric disorders and suicides for the patients with SARS is yet to be conducted.…”

Getting Closer to Our Unpleasant Previse: Possible Rise in Suicide Rate in Iran During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Our concern is the future growth of suicide rates, especially in Post-COVID-19 times. Psychological distress, psychiatric disorders, and suicide rates could increase after a crisis such as natural disasters or economic recessions (10,11). Alongside other studies, which did not show increases in the suicide rate during the COVID-19 pandemic (12), registered data of the Ministry of health indicated that during the first six months since the beginning of COVID-19 in Iran, the rate of suicide and suicide attempts has not increased from the corresponding date of last year.…”