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The Impact of Infectious Disease-Related Public Health Emergencies on Suicide, Suicidal Behavior, and Suicidal Thoughts.
Zortea, Tiago C; Brenna, Connor T A; Joyce, Mary; McClelland, Heather; Tippett, Marisa; Tran, Maxwell M; Arensman, Ella; Corcoran, Paul; Hatcher, Simon; Heise, Marnin J; Links, Paul; O'Connor, Rory C; Edgar, Nicole E; Cha, Yevin; Guaiana, Giuseppe; Williamson, Eileen; Sinyor, Mark; Platt, Stephen.
  • Zortea TC; Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow, UK.
  • Brenna CTA; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • Joyce M; National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Ireland.
  • McClelland H; Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow, UK.
  • Tippett M; Western Libraries, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
  • Tran MM; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, ON, Canada.
  • Arensman E; National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Ireland.
  • Corcoran P; School of Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
  • Hatcher S; National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork, Ireland.
  • Heise MJ; School of Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
  • Links P; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • O'Connor RC; Departments of Psychiatry and of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
  • Edgar NE; Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.
  • Cha Y; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
  • Guaiana G; Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory, University of Glasgow, UK.
  • Williamson E; Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
  • Sinyor M; Departments of Psychiatry and of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
  • Platt S; Departments of Psychiatry and of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
Crisis ; 42(6): 474-487, 2021 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-899881
ABSTRACT

Background:

Infectious disease-related public health emergencies (epidemics) may increase suicide risk, and high-quality evidence is needed to guide an international response.

Aims:

We investigated the potential impacts of epidemics on suicide-related outcomes.

Method:

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyArXiv, medRxiv, and bioRxiv from inception to May 13-16, 2020. Inclusion criteria primary studies, reviews, and meta-analyses; reporting the impact of epidemics; with a primary outcome of suicide, suicidal behavior, suicidal ideation, and/or self-harm. Exclusion criteria not concerned with suicide-related outcomes; not suitable for data extraction. PROSPERO registration #CRD42020187013.

Results:

Eight primary papers were included, examining the effects of five epidemics on suicide-related outcomes. There was evidence of increased suicide rates among older adults during SARS and in the year following the epidemic (possibly motivated by social disconnectedness, fears of virus infection, and concern about burdening others) and associations between SARS/Ebola exposure and increased suicide attempts. A preprint study reported associations between COVID-19 distress and past-month suicidal ideation.

Limitations:

Few studies have investigated the topic; these are of relatively low methodological quality.

Conclusion:

Findings support an association between previous epidemics and increased risk of suicide-related outcomes. Research is needed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on suicide outcomes.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Communicable Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Reviews Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: Crisis Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0227-5910

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Communicable Diseases / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Reviews Limits: Aged / Humans Language: English Journal: Crisis Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: 0227-5910