Does suicidal ideation increase during the second COVID-19 lockdown?

Efstathiou, Vasiliki; Michopoulos, Ioannis; Yotsidi, Vasiliki; Smyrnis, Nikolaos; Zompola, Christina; Papadopoulou, Aikaterini; Pomini, Valeria; Papadopoulou, Marianna; Tsigkaropoulou, Evdoxia; Tsivgoulis, Georgios; Douzenis, Athanasios; Gournellis, Rossetos

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113990

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Contrary to our results, Efstathiou et al ( 48 ) reported no significant change in suicidal ideation of respondents between the first and second lockdown period in Greece ( 48 ). Further, another study reported a decrease in suicidal ideation among adolescents before (September 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) in Hong Kong ( 25 ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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Background: As the majority of studies examining mental health during the pandemic are cross-sectional, little is known about the changes in mental health during the pandemic, especially in university students. Most studies indicate a worsening of mental health conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of German university students during the third wave of the pandemic in 2021 and to compare the results to a sample of a congruent cross-sectional study from 2020.Methods: Two cross-sectional and anonymous online surveys among university students were conducted (first survey: July-August 2020, N = 3,382; second survey: March-April 2021, N = 5,642). Mental health status was assessed with standardized measures (depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug consumption, and eating disorder symptoms), and social and emotional aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed. In addition to descriptive statistics and group comparisons of the two survey samples from 2020 and 2021, respectively, risk and protective factors related to mental health were analyzed.Results: There were significant differences in severities of depressive symptoms and alcohol and drug consumption between the two online surveys from 2020 and 2021. Findings suggest an increase in the severity of depressive symptoms as well as alcohol and drug consumption. Significantly more respondents reported suicidal ideation in the survey from 2021. Lower self-efficacy, less social support and lower resilience as well as higher perceived stress and more loneliness were reported by the participants of the survey from 2021 compared to 2020. Regarding factors predicting mental health symptoms, being female was a positive predictor for hazardous alcohol use and anorexia nervosa in comparison to men. Further, younger age, being diverse, higher perceived stress and loneliness were positive predictors for all mental health outcomes.Conclusion: This study reveals an increase in severities of depressive symptoms, including suicidal ideation, drug and alcohol consumption among students. Being diverse, younger age, higher perceived stress and loneliness were mutual risk factors for higher depressive and eating disorder symptoms as well as alcohol consumption. Universities and health care policy should recognize and address mental health issues of young adults during ongoing times of crisis and invest in easy-to-access interventions.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2021

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“…This study found that suicidal behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with depression and anxiety. This finding was similar to other studies done during the same time ( 1 , 8 , 10 , 11 ). This finding was expected, as suicidal behaviour could be a manifestation of depression and anxiety and also the consequence of these psychological problems.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Suicidal behaviour amid first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: Data from the COVID-19 mental health international (COMET-G) study

et al. 2022

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous social and life changes were implemented to curb the spread of the disease. The effect of lockdown and isolation predisposes the general population to various psychological health concerns. The existing determinants of suicidal behaviour were further added with social isolation, financial stress, depression, and other pandemic-related stressors. Hence, our study aimed to investigate suicidal behaviour and the associated factors among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a cross-sectional online questionnaire survey that used convenient sampling, where the survey was disseminated to the public via Google Forms through social media during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia. This study is also part of a large international COVID-19 mental health international study for the general population (COMET-G). This research revealed concerns about issues related to suicidal behaviours during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicidal behaviours were associated with depression, sex, marital status, educational level, employment type, residential area, number of people living together, number of children, and family dynamics. The pandemic effects from psychological, social, and economic perspectives will definitely take more time for recovery. Future prevention and protection are needed especially for the highly at-risk group on top of the general population in any future unforeseen circumstances of the pandemic.

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“…As regards suicidal ideation during the pandemic, a longitudinal study from Greece in a community sample of 811 adults, investigated suicidal ideation rates during the first (April 7 to May 3, 2020) as compared to the second (November 22 to December 21, 2020) pandemic-related national lockdown, and found no differences between the two time periods; depression emerged as the only significant prognostic factor for suicidal ideation incidence (i.e., among individuals who experienced suicidal thoughts during the second, but not the first lockdown) ( 50 ). Nevertheless, Veldhuis et al ( 56 ), using a global longitudinal convenience sample (n=1,567), surveyed both in April and September, 2020, reported a significant increase over time in suicidal thoughts and behaviors from baseline levels [mean (M)=2.6; standard error (SE)=0.72] to the 5-month follow-up (M=4.89; SE=0.91; P<0.05).…”

Section: Suicidal Behaviors In the Context Of The Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidality and COVID‑19: Suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviors and completed suicides amidst the COVID‑19 pandemic (Review)

et al. 2021

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Since the outbreak of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been widespread concern that social isolation, financial stress, depression, limited or variable access to health care services and other pandemic-related stressors may contribute to an increase in suicidal behaviors. In patients who have recovered from COVID-19, an increased risk of developing suicidal behaviors may be noted, while post-COVID syndrome comprises another potential risk factor contributing to increased suicidal behaviors. Despite the initial alarming predictions for an increase in suicide rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of published studies to date suggest that experienced difficulties and distress do not inevitably translate into an increased number of suicide-related deaths, at least not in the short-term. Nevertheless, the long-term mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have yet to be unfolded and are likely to remain for a long period of time. Suicide prevention and measures aiming at promoting well-being and mitigating the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, particularly among vulnerable groups, should thus be a priority for healthcare professionals and policymakers amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Suicidal behaviors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic 3. Conclusion

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Does suicidal ideation increase during the second COVID-19 lockdown?

Cited by 17 publications

References 5 publications

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

More Depressive Symptoms, Alcohol and Drug Consumption: Increase in Mental Health Symptoms Among University Students After One Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suicidal behaviour amid first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: Data from the COVID-19 mental health international (COMET-G) study

Suicidality and COVID‑19: Suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviors and completed suicides amidst the COVID‑19 pandemic (Review)

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