Impact of covid-19 pandemic on suicidal and homicidal deaths in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted significantly on many sectors globally, and has also impacted mental health of many individuals. actually infected with the disease. The World Health Organization declared the virus outbreak as a pandemic in March 2020. Current lockdown scenarios have led to different behavioural consequences which lead to increase in homicidal cases and suicidal behaviours. Aim: To study the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal and homicidal deaths in Jabalpur district between months' March to July 2020, to cause awareness among health care professionals about impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Materials and Methods: Present study was conducted in the department of forensic medicine and toxicology, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur. Only confirmed cases of suicide and homicide were included in the study based on post mortem reports and police inquest. Result: COVID-19 pandemic caused an expected rise in the number of suicide and homicidal cases in the year 2020 in Jabalpur, when compared with the year 2019. Conclusion: A need for adequate mental health programs to combat the increase in mental health problems by initiatives along with tele-mental health care, where mental health providers are expected to play a vital role in promoting psychological and emotional well-being, strengthening problem-solving and health-promoting habits in service recipients. © 2021, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. All rights reserved.