Suicide Among Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic;Rates and Trends

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems were heterogeÂneously increased among the population groups during the COVID 19 pandemic.1 The pandemic promoted existAîng suicide risk factors such as illicit drugs and alcohol use, access to lethal means, and social disconnectedness.2 According to the CDC, 40% of US adults reported sympÂtoms of depression, anxiety, or increased substance use during COVID-19, and 10.7% of the participants reported suicidal ideation.3 OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare suicide rates among adult population (18-64 years old) in Marion County, Indiana in 2019 and 2020. METHODS: Data for 2019 and 2020 was ed from coroners' records in Marion County, Indiana. In 2019 and 2020, a cumulative total of 130 and 157 suicide cases were reported, respectively. We identified 104 adult suicide cases in 2019 and 116 adult suicide cases in 2020 with age range of 18 to 64 years. We analyzed the data for age, race, genÂder, job, marital status and the method of suicide. RESULTS: From 2019 to 2020, adult suicides increased by 11.5%, from 104 to 116 cases. In 2019, cases were highest during the month of January (14.4%). Most cases were white (79.8%). The average age was 39.6 years old and male to female ratio was 3.91.1. Almost half of the cases (49%) were unemÂployed and 36.5% were employed. Regarding marital status, 47.1% of those died by suicide were never marÂried, 27.8% were married and 19.2% were divorced. Regarding the method of suicide, gunshot wound was the most common method (58.6%), followed by hangAîng (32.6%), drug toxicity, asphyxiation, and sharp force trauma with 1.9% each. In 2020, cases were highest in January (12%) and December (11.2%). In 2019, most cases were white (76.72%). The average age was 35.7 years old and male to female was 8.63. About one third of cases (33.6%) were unemployed and 43.1% were employed. Regarding mariÂtal status, the majority (58.6%) were never married, while 23.2% and 13.7% were married and divorced respectively. The most common method of suicide was gunshot wound (63.7%), followed by hanging (24.1%), drug toxicity (4.3%), and asphyxiation (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Suicide rates among adults increased by 11.5% in Marion County, Indiana. While white males had the highest suicide rates during both years, female suicides increased from 20% in 2019 to 26% in 2020. Average age of those who died by suicide was younger in 2020. A rise in suicide was seen in unmarried and employed individuals. Suicide by gunshot wounds and drug toxicity also increased. Our findings echoed the CDC findings.3 Public health measures which target certain population groups such can mitigate suicide rates during a global pandemic.