@article{ref1,
title="Preliminary investigation of the association between COVID-19 and suicidal thoughts  and behaviors in the U.S",
journal="Journal of psychiatric research",
year="2020",
author="Ammerman, Brooke A. and Burke, Taylor A. and Jacobucci, Ross and McClure, Kenneth",
volume="134",
number="",
pages="32-38",
abstract="Evidence suggests that the negative consequences of COVID-19 may extend far beyond  its considerable death toll, having a significant impact on psychological  well-being. Despite work highlighting the link between previous epidemics and  elevated suicide rates, there is limited research on the relationship between the  COVID-19 pandemic and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Utilizing an online survey,  the current study aimed to better understand the presence, and extent, of the  association between COVID-19-related experiences and past-month suicidal thoughts  and behaviors among adults in the United States recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk  (n = 907). <br><br>RESULTS support an association between several COVID-19-related  experiences (i.e., general distress, fear of physical harm, effects of social  distancing policies) and past-month suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Further,  a significant proportion of those with recent suicidal ideation explicitly link  their suicidal thoughts to COVID-19. Exploratory analyses highlight a potential  additional link between COVID-19 and suicidal behavior, suggesting that a portion of  individuals may be intentionally exposing themselves to the virus with intent to  kill themselves. These findings underscore the need for suicide risk screening and  access to mental health services during the current pandemic. Particular attention  should be paid to employing public health campaigns to disseminate information on  such services to reduce the enormity of distress and emotional impairment associated  with COVID-19 in the United States.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-3956",
doi="10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.037",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.037"
}