Abuse, self-harm and suicidal ideation in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iob, Eleonora; Steptoe, Andrew; Fancourt, Daisy
• Is Part Of: British journal of psychiatry. Volume 217:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 543
• Page End: 546
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: COVID-19, -- mental health, -- abuse, -- self-harm, -- thoughts of suicide or self-harm; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2020.130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1250

Abstract

Summary: This study explored patterns of abuse, self-harm and thoughts of suicide/self-harm in the UK during the first month of the COVID-19 pandemic using data from the COVID-19 Social Study ( n =44 775), a non-probability sample weighted to population proportions. The reported frequency of abuse, self-harm and thoughts of suicide/self-harm was higher among women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, unemployment, disability, chronic physical illnesses, mental disorders and COVID-19 diagnosis. Psychiatric medications were the most common type of support being used, but fewer than half of those affected were accessing formal or informal support.