Citation

Hernández-Calle D, Martínez-Alés G, Mediavilla R, Aguirre P, Rodríguez-Vega B, Bravo-Ortiz MF. J. Clin. Psychiatry 2020; 81(5): e3419.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Physicians Postgraduate Press)

DOI

10.4088/JCP.20l13419

PMID

32898342

Abstract

Recent reports indicate that the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is generating substantial increases in the global burden of depression, anxiety, and acute stress disorders.1,2 Potential explanations include fear of contagion, grief for the death of loved ones, social isolation due to confinement measures, and stress due to negative economic consequences in both the short and long terms, among others. One major concern is that this unprecedented health and social crisis will also bring about an increase in the incidence of suicidal behaviors.2-4

The emergency department (ED) is paramount for suicide prevention efforts: most suicidal crises and suicide attempts are evaluated and treated in the ED. Moreover, as up to 50% of suicidal patients experience barriers to follow-up care and disengage from outpatient mental health services,5 the ED often constitutes the only window of opportunity for individual-level suicide prevention...

Language: en