Citation

Bae SJ, Lee DH, Lee DH, Seo AY, Choi YH. Omega (Westport) 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Sage Publications)

DOI

10.1177/00302228221106286

PMID

35652505

Abstract

The coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected on mental health and contributed to increased depression and anxiety. We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide-related the emergency department (ED) visits. We compared the characteristics of suicide-related patients who visited the ED between the "COVID-19 period" and the "pre-COVID-19 period". The mean age of patients was younger after COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison by age group, the proportion of patients during the COVID-19 period increased in their teens and 20s, and the rest of the age groups decreased. The proportion of patients who requested help was higher during the COVID-19. The authenticity of suicide attempts showed a higher proportion of patients during the pre-COVID-19. Therefore, during the pandemic, attention should be paid to worsening mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, rather than the lethality of suicide attempts.

Language: en

Keywords

emergency department; suicide; depression; self-harm; coronavirus infection 2019