Suicide in the context of COVID-19 diagnosis in India: Insights and implications from online print media reports. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sripad, Madhumitha Nanditale; Pantoji, Makarand; Gowda, Guru S; Ganjekar, Sundarnag; Reddi, Venkata Senthil Kumar; Math, Suresh Bada
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 298(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: COVID -- Suicide -- Online -- Print media -- Newspaper; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased reports of suicide in India. Abrupt change in the lifestyle, discrimination, stigma about having or contracting COVID-19 infection, and economic stress has been associated with higher rate of suicides in this pandemic. First week of COVID positive / suspect status, receiving treatment in COVID care centers and male gender are risk factors for suicides during this pandemic. There is a need to integrate suicide preventive strategies into standard care protocols of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected cases in India. Abstract: Background: : Suicide reports during the COVID pandemic is an increasing cause for concern. However, there is a limited understanding of suicide among individuals with positive/suspected COVID diagnosis specifically. Hence, this study, using online newspaper reports, aimed to determine factors influencing suicide among individuals withCOVID-19 infection status. Methodology: : Information regarding positive/suspected COVID related suicide was obtained from online newspapers published in 4 languages between 30 th Jan 2020 to 16 th August 2020 using google news aggregator. Of 235 online identified, 93 were eligible for analysis after the exclusion and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: : Median Age of COVID related suicide victims was 45 years (range 15 - 80) wherein 61.3% belonged to 30-59 year age group, and 75.3% were males. 50% of suicides occurred within the first week of COVID diagnosis confirmation, and 50% suicides occurred at COVID centres. Hanging (53.8%) was the commonest method of suicide, followed by jumping (12.9%). Conclusion: : Higher risk for suicide was observed among male gender and those with positive/suspected COVID infection within the first week, while receiving treatment in COVID care centres. Hanging and jumping were the two commonest methods. The above highlight an urgent need to integrate suicide preventive strategies into standard care protocols of COVID-19 positive and suspected cases.