Patients at high risk of suicide before and during a COVID-19 lockdown: ecological momentary assessment study. Issue 3 (16th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cobo, Aurora; Porras-Segovia, Alejandro; Pérez-Rodríguez, María Mercedes; Artés-Rodríguez, Antonio; Barrigón, Maria Luisa; Courtet, Philippe; Baca-García, Enrique
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 7:Issue 3(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-16
• Subjects: Suicide, -- suicide attempt, -- COVID-19, -- ecological momentary assessment, -- machine learning; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.43
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Abstract : The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have affected the mental health of patients at high risk of suicide. In this study we explored the wish to die and other suicide risk factors using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in patients with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Contrary to our expectations we found a decrease in the wish to die during lockdown. This is consistent with previous studies showing that suicide rates decrease during periods of social emergency. Smartphone-based EMA can allow us to remotely assess patients and overcome the physical barriers imposed by lockdown.