Suicide in India during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Affect Disord
; 307: 215-220, 2022 06 15.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2250296
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There has been substantial discussion as to whether the mental health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic might impact suicide rates. Although India accounts for the largest proportion of global suicides, the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in this country are unknown.METHODS:
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data were used to calculate annual suicide rates for the period 2010-2020, stratified by sex and state. Rate Ratios (RRs) stratified by sex and state were calculated to estimate the extent of change in suicide rates.RESULTS:
Suicide rates in India generally showed a decreasing trend from 2010 until 2017, with the trend reversing after this period, particularly for males. Among males and females, the highest increase post 2017 was noted in 2020 (compared to 2017) (males RR = 1.18 95% UI 1.17-1.19; females RR = 1.05 95% UI 1.03-1.06).LIMITATION:
Suicide rates based on the NCRB data might be an underestimation of the true suicide rates.CONCLUSION:
Suicide rates in India increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the increase in suicide rates, especially among males, predates the pandemic, the increase in suicide rates was highest in 2020, compared to increases in previous years. Further research is warranted to understand the potential ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide in India.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Suicide
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
J Affect Disord
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS