The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health service utilisation following self-harm: a systematic review (preprint)

BackgroundEvidence on the impacts of the pandemic on healthcare presentations for self-harm has accumulated rapidly. However, existing reviews do not include studies published beyond 2020. AimsTo systematically review evidence on health services utilisation for self-harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA comprehensive search of multiple databases (WHO COVID-19 database; Medline; medRxiv; Scopus; PsyRxiv; SocArXiv; bioRxiv; COVID-19 Open Research Dataset, PubMed) was conducted. Studies reporting presentation frequencies for self-harm published from 1st Jan. 2020 to 7th Sept. 2021 were included. Study quality was assessed using a critical appraisal tool. ResultsFifty-one studies were included. 59% (30/51) were rated as low quality, 29% (15/51) as moderate and 12% (6/51) as high-moderate. Most evidence (84%, 43/51 studies) was from high-income countries. 47% (24/51) of studies reported reductions in presentation frequency, including all 6 rated as high-moderate quality, which reported reductions of 17- 56%. Settings treating higher lethality self-harm were overrepresented among studies reporting increased demand. Two of the 3 higher quality studies including study observation months from 2021 reported reductions in service utilisation. Evidence from 2021 suggested increased use of health services following self-harm among adolescents, particularly girls. ConclusionsSustained reductions in service utilisation were seen into the first half of 2021. However, evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking. The increased use of health services among adolescents, particularly girls, into 2021 is of concern. Our findings may reflect changes in thresholds for help seeking, use of alternative sources of support and variable effects of the pandemic across different groups.

Temporal trends in primary care-recorded self-harm during and beyond the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: time series analysis of electronic healthcare records for 2.8 million patients in the Greater Manchester Care Record (preprint)

BackgroundSurveillance of clinically treated self-harm episode frequency is an important component of suicide prevention in the dynamic context of COVID-19. Studies published to date have investigated the initial months following the onset of the pandemic, despite national and regional restrictions persisting to Summer 2021. MethodsWe conducted a descriptive time series analysis utilising data from the Greater Manchester Care Record, which contains de-identified, primary care health records of 2.8 million patients. Counts of incident and all episodes of self-harm recorded between 1st January 2019 and 31st May 2021 were made for all patients, with stratification by sex, age group, ethnicity, and index of multiple deprivation (IMD) quintile and examination of overall differences by national and regional restriction phases. FindingsBetween 1st January 2019 and 31st May 2021, 33,444 episodes of self-harm by 13,148 individuals were recorded. Frequency ratios of incident and all episodes of self-harm were 0.59 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.69) and 0.69 (CI 0.63 to 0.75) respectively in April 2020 compared to February 2020. Between August 2020 and May 2021 frequency ratios were 0.92 (CI 0.88 to 0.96) for incident episodes and 0.86 (CI 0.84 to 0.88) for all episodes compared to the same months in 2019. Reductions were largest among men and people living in the most deprived neighbourhoods. An increase in all-episode self-harm (frequency ratio 1.09, CI 1.03 to 1.16) was observed for adolescents aged 10-17 between August 2020 and May 2021. InterpretationThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a sustained impact on help seeking for self-harm. Reductions in primary care recorded self-harm have implications for clinicians ability to assess the needs and risks of individuals. Some patients may be experiencing prolonged untreated deterioration in their mental health while other groups are presenting in higher numbers. Our findings have important implications for primary care and mental health services in manging ongoing demand. FundingUKRI COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative (grant reference COV0499), University of Manchester Presidential Fellowship (SS), and NIHR Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre.

Primary care clinical management following self-harm during the first wave of COVID-19 in the UK (preprint)

Background A substantial reduction in GP-recorded self-harm occurred during the first wave of COVID-19 but effects on primary care management of self-harm are unknown. Aim To examine the impact of COVID-19 on clinical management within three months of an episode of self-harm. Design and setting Prospective cohort study using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Method We compared cohorts of patients with an index self-harm episode recorded during a pre-pandemic period (10th March-10th June, 2010-2019) versus the COVID-19 first-wave period (10th March-10th June 2020). Patients were followed up for three months to capture psychotropic medication prescribing, GP/practice nurse consultation and referral to mental health services. Results 48,739 episodes of self-harm were recorded during the pre-pandemic period and 4,238 during the first-wave COVID-19 period. Similar proportions were prescribed psychotropic medication within 3 months in the pre-pandemic (54.0%) and COVID-19 first-wave (54.9%) cohorts. Likelihood of having at least one GP/practice nurse consultation was broadly similar (83.2% vs. 80.3% in the COVID-19 cohort). The proportion of patients referred to mental health services in the COVID-19 cohort (3.4%) was around half of that in the pre-pandemic cohort (6.5%). Conclusion Despite the challenges experienced by primary healthcare teams during the initial COVID-19 wave, prescribing and consultation patterns following self-harm were broadly similar to pre-pandemic levels. However, the reduced likelihood of referral to mental health services warrants attention. Accessible outpatient and community services for people who have self-harmed are required as the COVID-19 crisis recedes and the population faces new challenges to mental health.

Suicide in England in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Early Figures from Real Time Surveillance (preprint)

Background: There are concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to an increase in suicide. The coronial system in England is not suitable for close monitoring of suicide because of the frequent gap of several months before inquests are held. Methods: We used data from established systems of "real time surveillance" (RTS) of suspected suicides, in areas covering a total population of around 13 million, to examine for any increase after the first national lockdown in England. Outcomes: The average monthly number of suicides in the months before lockdown, January-March 2020, was 125·7, compared to 121·3 in April-October 2020 (-4%; 95% CI -19% to 13%, p=0·59). Incidence rate ratios did not rise significantly in individual months after lockdown began and were not raised during the 2-month lockdown period April-May 2020 or the 5-month period after the easing of lockdown, June-October 2020 (IRR: 1·00 [0·8-1·25] and 0·94 [0·81-1·08]). Comparison of the suicide rates after lockdown in 2020 for the same months in selected areas in 2019 showed no difference. Interpretation: We did not find a rise in suicide in England in the months after the first national lockdown began in 2020, despite evidence of greater distress. However, a number of caveats should be noted. These are early figures and may change. Any effect of the pandemic may vary by population group or geographical area. The use of RTS in this way is new and further development is needed before it can provide full national data. Funding: The study was carried out as part of the role of the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health in supporting suicide prevention in England, funded by NHS England/NHS Improvement.Declaration of Interests: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare: LA chairs the National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group (NSPSAG) at the Department of Health and Social Care in England; NK is a member of the Group, chaired the guideline development group for the 2012 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the longer-term management of self-harm, currently chairs the guideline development group for the NICE depression in adults’ guidelines, is currently the topic advisor on the new NICE guideline on self-harm, and reports grants from the Department of Health and Social Care, National Institute of Health Research and NICE. All authors work with NHS England on the National Quality Improvement initiatives for suicide and self-harm. LA, NK, and PT report grants from the Health Quality Improvement Partnership.

Primary Care Contact for Mental Illness and Self-Harm Before, During and After the Peak of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK: Cohort Study of 13 Million Individuals (preprint)

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected population mental health.Methods: Using electronic health records from 1714 UK general practices registered with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink we examined incidence and event rates of depression and anxiety disorders, self-harm, prescriptions for antidepressants and benzodiazepines and GP referrals to mental health services per 100,000 person-months, before, during and after the peak of the Covid-19 emergency. Analyses were stratified by gender, age group and practice-level Index of Multiple Deprivation quintile.Findings: In April 2020, primary care-recorded incident depression reduced by 43·6% (95% CI 39·0% to 47·9%), anxiety disorders by 48·2% (CI 44·6% to 51·5%) and antidepressant prescribing by 36·2% (CI 33·7% to 38·6%) compared to expected rates based on prior trends. Reductions in first diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders were particularly stark for working-age adults and patients registered at practices in more deprived areas. Self-harm incidence was 38·5% (CI 35·7% to 41·3%) lower than expected in April 2020. Total self-harm contacts fell by 28·2% (CI 25·5% to 30·8%). Rates of both incident and any self-harm remained around thirty percent lower than expected up to June 2020. Interpretation: Our findings reveal a stark treatment gap that was greater for first diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders in working age adults, for practice populations in deprived areas, and for self-harm. Consequences could include more patients subsequently presenting with greater acuity and severity of mental illness and rising rates of non-fatal self-harm and suicide. Funding: This work was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Greater Manchester Patient Safety Translational Research Centre, UK Research and Innovation/Medical Research Council COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative funding and by a University of Manchester Presidential Fellowship (SS). CC-G received funding from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands. Declaration of Interests: All authors have completed the Unified Competing Interest form (available on request from the corresponding author) and declare: no support from any organisation for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous three years, no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.Ethics Approval Statement: This study is based on data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink obtained under license from the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The study was approved by the Independent Scientific Advisory Committee for Clinical Practice Research Datalink research (protocol number 20_094R1).