COVID-19 pandemic: demographic and clinical correlates of passive death wish and thoughts of self-harm among Canadians.
J Ment Health
; 30(2): 170-178, 2021 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1057767
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.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.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.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.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Suicidal Ideation
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
J Ment Health
Journal subject:
Psychology
/
Psychiatry
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
09638237.2021.1875417
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