Innovations in Suicide Assessment and Prevention During Pandemics
By Connor TA Brenna, Paul S Links, Maxwell M Tran, Mark Sinyor, Marnin J Heisel, and Simon Hatcher
Research suggests that during previous pandemics, there was an increase in suicide risk as well as suicide-related behaviours. Given this, it is expected that we will see the same increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has also found that specific groups at at higher risk than others, including older adults, especially older women; those who are unemployed or under-employed; those with pre-existing mental health disorders and/or substance misuse; and, frontline and social service workers.
While only a few studies have been done in this area, they have identified two potential reasons for this increase in suicide risk during previous pandemics:
Anxiety and dread related to media reports about the pandemic and its impact on the community.
Social isolation and loneliness resulting from public health measures implemented to prevent further spread of disease (e.g., lockdown measures, social distancing, etc.)
Due to the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a move towards virtual suicide risk assessments. Providers should consider the following when using virtual suicide assessments:
It is possible that, during a virtual suicide risk assessment, a patient may be in acute distress. A number of guidelines have been developed for clinicians on how to best manage patients with suicidal thoughts and behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic (see, for example, work by Stanley & Brown and the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention).
Smartphone and internet-based tools, such as apps and online therapy programs, may be a useful addition to virtual suicide risk assessment; however, the research about their effectiveness is mixed. Future research is needed to determine the quality of of these tools and how they can be implemented in clinical setting.
To read this article in full, please visit: https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3132111