Mental health problems among hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background The study aims to explore the mental health of the hotline callers during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Methods Callers (N = 10,490) from the Beijing Psychological Support Hotline from January 21st to June 30th in 2019 and 2020 were enrolled and divided into two groups (during (2020) and before (2019) COVID-19 pandemic). The severity of depressive symptoms, psychological distress, hopefulness, and suicidal ideation (SI) was assessed. Demographic characteristics and major concerns were also collected. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test were used to compare the differences in mental health conditions and major concerns between two years and between different age groups. The multivariable logistic regression was used to explore whether mental health conditions were associated with pandemic and demographic factors. Results Results from multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that the change in suicidal ideation (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.21–1.92) was significantly different across age groups. Callers during the pandemic reported a higher level of hopefulness (OR = 1.13, 95% CI [1.03–1.24]), a lower level of depressive symptoms (OR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.74–0.89]) and psychological distress (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.81–0.98]), and were less likely to report SI (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.61–0.77]) compared with callers before the pandemic. Conclusions Compared with callers before the pandemic, hotline callers during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic did not present significant mental health problems. Younger callers during the pandemic were more vulnerable for the presence of suicidal ideation. Hotline-based crisis interventions might provide specific psychological support to cope with troubles during the pandemic.

Suicide before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…A total of 8642 studies were screened, with 72 studies (131 samples) meeting the inclusion criteria. Among them, 16 [ 10 , 11 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 ], 11 [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 ], and 19 [ 8 , 13 , 14 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ] only addressed changes in suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and death by suicide, respectively; 25 [ 9 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 92 , 93 , 94 , …”

“…The highest PR was found among the general population (PR = 2.014, 95% CI: 1.604–2.529; p = 0.000), which indicated that suicidal ideation was twice as prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before, while the prevalence of suicidal ideation in adolescents, younger (mostly college students) and special populations remained basically unchanged. After excluding the only one study [ 58 ] using retrospective design, the prevalence ratio was 1.318 (95% CI: 1.132–1.535; p = 0.000) for repeated cross-sectional studies, suggesting the significantly increased prevalence of suicidal ideation during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic times; meanwhile, longitudinal studies showed a non-significant decrease (PR = 0.842; 95% CI: 0.666–1.063; p = 0.148). Meta-regression showed that neither female percentage nor quality score for non-clinical samples was associated with PR ( Table S3 ).…”

“… Forest plot for suicidal ideation of studies [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 61 , 64 , 93 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 102 , 108 , 112 ] conducting in the non-clinical setting (Prismatic colored as red refers to the pooled estimate). …”

Association Between Consultation Themes and Suicidal Ideation Among Callers to the Hangzhou Mental Health Hotline: A Gender-Stratified Cross-Sectional Study

“…Recent suicidal ideation was assessed based on the self-reported desire to self-harm or end one's life in the two weeks preceding the call. Depression was evaluated using a tool developed based on the diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Episodes in the DSM-IV, widely utilized in hotline settings for depression assessment [20]. Past suicide attempts were ascertained by questioning any past self-harm with the intent to end life.…”