Preparing for the likely rise in suicides due to COVID-19: A review of the literature

Abstract

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world, and the rates of suicides have been steadily increasing. The COVID-19 pandemic brings a number of potential stressors that may lead to a further increase in the suicide rate. This review paper analyzes the suicide rates of previous similar historic events, including pandemic/epidemic, mass violence events, natural disasters, and economic recessions. The impact of current stressors caused by the pandemic are examined, including economic, quarantine and isolation, media exposure and misinformation, substance use, and mental health. Evidence-based suicide prevention strategies are reviewed.