Suicide prevention and COVID- 19
Ivbijaro, Gabriel; Kolkiewicz, Lucja; Goldberg, David; N’jie, Isatou N. S.; Edwards, Todd; Riba, Michelle B.; Švab, Igor; Geller, Jeffrey; Enum, Yaccub
2021-09
Citation
Ivbijaro, Gabriel; Kolkiewicz, Lucja; Goldberg, David; N’jie, Isatou N. S.; Edwards, Todd; Riba, Michelle B.; Švab, Igor ; Geller, Jeffrey; Enum, Yaccub (2021). "Suicide prevention and COVID- 19." Asia- Pacific Psychiatry 13(3): n/a-n/a.
Abstract
IntroductionSuicide prevention during Covid 19 has become a global priority because the current pandemic has led to societal difficulties threatening the fabric of our lifestyle with increased morbidity and mortality. Modelling studies published since the COVID 19 pandemic was declared in March 2020 estimate that suicide rates will increase by anywhere between 1% to 145% globally in response to the pandemic and action needs to be taken.MethodsA narrative literature review on high quality evidence sources limited to human studies and publications written in English language only has been used to examine the relationship of COVID 19 and existing mental illness or history of mental illness, suicide prevention strategies and changes in overall suicide rates.ResultsA total of 39 papers are summarised and grouped using the headings aetiological factors, proposed interventions to increase access and national policies to provide a framework for suicide prevention during pandemics such as COVID 19. This review indicates that 1) investing in active labour market programmes will result in a decreased suicide rate during times of high unemployment 2) People in low paid and casual jobs require specific support because they are most financially vulnerable during a pandemic related crisis 3) Women require specific support during a pandemic because of the type of employment they have and because they often carry a greater proportion of the domestic burden and are at increased risk of domestic violence during lockdown and crisis 4) Mental health and substance misuse services need to be appropriately funded and prioritised during and post pandemic, due to the associated increase in substance misuse during a pandemic causing worsening mental health and increased risk of suicide 5) National Suicide Prevention Strategies should be developed by all countries and should anticipate response to a range of disasters, including a pandemic 6) Suicide prevention is everybody’s business and National Suicide Prevention Strategies should adopt a whole- systems approach including mental health services, primary care, social care, NGO’s and other community stakeholders 7) Suicide is preventable 8) It is essential to prioritise suicide prevention strategies in the COVID and post- COVID period to ensure that lives are saved.DiscussionIncrease in suicide is not inevitable and suicide prevention during pandemics and post COVID 19 pandemics requires a collaborative whole system approach. We require real time data to inform dynamic action planning.Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISSN
1758-5864 1758-5872
Other DOIs
Types
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Remediation of Harmful Language
The University of Michigan Library aims to describe library materials in a way that respects the people and communities who create, use, and are represented in our collections. Report harmful or offensive language in catalog records, finding aids, or elsewhere in our collections anonymously through our metadata feedback form. More information at Remediation of Harmful Language.
Accessibility
If you are unable to use this file in its current format, please select the Contact Us link and we can modify it to make it more accessible to you.