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Citation
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Gunnell D, Appleby L, Arensman E, Hawton K, John A, Kapur N, Khan M, O'Connor RC, Pirkis J. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub. |
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Affiliation
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Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. |
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Abstract
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The mental health effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic might be profound1 and there are suggestions that suicide rates will rise, although this is not inevitable. Suicide is likely to become a more pressing concern as the pandemic spreads and has longer-term effects on the general population, the economy, and vulnerable groups. Preventing suicide therefore needs urgent consideration. The response must capitalise on, but extend beyond, general mental health policies and practices.
There is some evidence that deaths by suicide increased in the USA during the 1918–19 influenza pandemic2 and among older people in Hong Kong during the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic.3 The current context is different and evolving. A wide-ranging interdisciplinary response that recognises how the pandemic might heighten risk and applies knowledge about effective suicide prevention approaches is key. Selective, indicated, and universal interventions are required.
The likely adverse effects of the pandemic on people with mental illness, and on population mental health in general, might be exacerbated by fear, self-isolation, and physical distancing.4 Suicide risk might be increased because of stigma towards individuals with COVID-19 and their families. Those with psychiatric disorders might experience worsening symptoms and others might develop new mental health problems, especially depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress (all associated with increased suicide risk). These mental health problems will be experienced by the general population and those with high levels of exposure to illness caused by COVID-19, such as frontline health- care workers and those who develop the illness. The consequences for mental health services are already being felt (eg, increased workloads and the need to find new ways of working). Some services are developing ...
Language: en |