@article{ref1,
title="Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal ideation in a representative Australian population sample: longitudinal cohort study",
journal="Journal of affective disorders",
year="2022",
author="Batterham, Philip J. and Calear, Alison L. and Shou, Yiyun and Farrer, Louise M. and Gulliver, Amelia and McCallum, Sonia M. and Dawel, Amy",
volume="300",
number="",
pages="385-391",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The direct and indirect mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are considerable. However, it is unclear how suicidal ideation was affected in communities during the acute lockdown phase of the pandemic, and over the longer-term. This study provides longitudinal data on the prevalence of, and risk factors for, suicidal ideation in the Australian national population, during the pandemic. <br><br>METHOD: The Australian National COVID-19 Mental Health and Risk Communication Survey assessed a nationally representative sample of Australian adults (N = 1296) fortnightly for 12 weeks from late-March to June 2020 (7 waves), and again in March 2021 (wave 8). Cox proportional hazards models examined demographic and pandemic-related risk factors for suicidal ideation over time. <br><br>RESULTS: Prevalence of suicidal ideation was high but steady at ∼18% across the acute lockdown phase of the pandemic, and 16.2% in March 2021. People who had direct experience with COVID-19 (tested, diagnosed, or contact with someone who was diagnosed) had increased risk for suicidal ideation. Higher pandemic-related work and social impairment, recent adversity, loneliness, and being younger were also associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation over time. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Both the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 were associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation over time, although prevalence did not vary over time. The high prevalence of suicidal ideation in our sample flag a critical need for accessible mental health support, and provide insight into the factors placing people at risk during the pandemic.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0165-0327",
doi="10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.022",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.01.022"
}