@article{ref1,
title="COVID-19 pandemic: demographic and clinical correlates of passive death wish and thoughts of self-harm among Canadians",
journal="Journal of mental health",
year="2021",
author="Sapara, Adegboyega and Shalaby, Reham and Osiogo, Felix and Hrabok, Marianne and Gusnowski, April and Vuong, Wesley and Surood, Shireen and Urichuk, Liana and Greenshaw, Andrew J. and Agyapong, Vincent I. O.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Suicidal ideation can be triggered or exacerbated by psychosocial stressors including natural disasters and pandemics. AIMS: This study investigated prevalence rates and demographic and clinical correlates of self-reported passive death wishes and thoughts of self-harm among Canadians subscribing to Text4Hope; a daily supportive text message program. <br><br>METHODS: A survey link was sent out to Text4Hope subscribers. Demographic information was captured and clinical data collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7-item (GAD-7) scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analysed with descriptive analysis, the chi-square test, and logistic regression. <br><br>RESULTS: Responders showed an increase in prevalence rates for passive death wish and thoughts of self-harm compared to baseline Canadian statistics on suicidality. Responders aged ⩽25years, Indigenous, had less than high school education, unemployed, single, living with family, with increased anxiety, disordered sleep, and recent concerns about germs and contamination were at greatest risk. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that suicidal thoughts may have increased in the general population as a result of COVID-19 and signals an urgent need for public education on appropriate health seeking methods and increased access to mental and social support especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate aftermath.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0963-8237",
doi="10.1080/09638237.2021.1875417",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2021.1875417"
}