Suicide rates could spike during lockdown as people become more vulnerable to mental health problems: Experts
The pandemic is bound to take a heavy toll on the mental health of people across the globe. The resulting stress could drive suicide rates, fear experts.
Disease outbreaks have driven suicide rates in the past. Death rates from suicide increased during the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak in Hong Kong and the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic in the US.
"Suicide is likely to become a more pressing concern as the pandemic spreads and has longer-term effects on the general population, the economy, and vulnerable groups," a group of experts wrote in a Lancet Commentary.
What is more concerning is that over the last two decades, the US is witnessing a rise in suicide rates. The pandemic could lead to a further uptick. Hence, experts are urging governments to enforce measures to prevent suicides. For instance, providing free online consultations could help. They make a case for staying prepared.
"It is hard to predict what impact the pandemic will have on suicide rates, but given the range of concerns, it is important to be prepared and take steps to mitigate risk as far as possible," Prof David Gunnell, from the University of Bristol, who established the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration, said in a statement.
In addition to online counseling and helplines, providing easily accessible help for those who have lost a loved one to the virus might bring some relief. Scientists also suggest that governments should provide financial safety nets — food, housing, and unemployment funds — to cushion the economic blow.
Commenting on the importance of taking steps, Professor Louis Appleby, co-author, and Chair of England's National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group said: "We don't know that suicide rates will rise. We do know there will be people who feel more distressed or isolated. A comprehensive response, from economic policy to frontline services, is needed.
Forty-two researchers from around the world, including Prof Gunnell, have formed the International COVID-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration.
People suffering from psychiatric disorders are already at heightened risk. They might experiences a worsening of symptoms. However, the pandemic could also trigger mental health problems, especially depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress, among those who have had no history of psychiatric illness.
Why are pandemics stressful?
The new coronavirus has upended many lives across the world. "The pandemic will cause distress and leave many people vulnerable to mental health problems and suicidal behavior. Mental health consequences are likely to be present for longer and peak later than the actual pandemic," experts added.
Medical workers who work on the frontlines are at a higher risk. They are already saddled with concerns over a possible infection, shortages of necessary personal protective equipment, overwhelmed facilities, and work stress.
Experts believe economic stress is a risk factor. "There are fears that the combination of canceled public events, closed businesses, and shelter-in-place strategies will lead to a recession. Economic downturns are usually associated with higher suicide rates compared with periods of relative prosperity," another group of experts wrote in the JAMA viewpoint.
Social isolation is another major factor. Some studies have suggested that loneliness could make people vulnerable.
"For a lot of people, a day or two in isolation may be OK, but weeks without getting out of the house — the stress will certainly build-up," Paul Yin, a psychologist who is helping insurance companies spread information on how to cope mentally with the outbreak, told NBC news.
Furthermore, experts think barriers to mental health treatment could also be stressful. Keeping a 24x7 tab news does more harm than good, according to experts.