Presentation Information
[P-4-05]The impact of COVID-19 on suicide attempters transported to emergency medical facilities in Japan
*Nobuaki Eto1, Izumi Kuramochi2,3, Takashi Komori3, Takao Ishii4, Chiaki Kawanishi4 (1.Fukuoka University Hospital(Japan), 2.Saitama Medical University Hospital(Japan), 3.Nara Medical University(Japan), 4.Sapporo Medical University(Japan))
Keywords:
Suicide attempter,Emergency department,COVID-19
Objective
This study is to conduct a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to clarify the relationship between social changes caused by the pandemic and suicide attempters.
Method
From November 2020 to December 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with suicide attempters who were transported to emergency medical facilities and agreed to participate in the study. As a result of this semi-structured interview, conducted by an experienced psychiatrist, the impact of COVID-19 on the background factors of suicidal behavior was assessed on a five-point scale and classified as (a) clearly present, (b) presumed to have had an impact, (c) impact unknown, (d) presumed to have had little impact, and (e) no impact. This study was conducted with the participation of four institutions and was approved by the ethics committees of each institution.
Results
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 64 people at all facilities. Of these, 24 were male (38%) and 40 were female (62%), with an average age of 35.7 (12-83) years old. The impact of COVID-19 was considered to be (a) in 2 cases, (b) in 14 cases, (c) in 10 cases, (d) in 18 cases, and (e) in 20 cases. A total of 16 suicide attempters were considered to have been affected by COVID-19, combining those who answered (a) and (b). The most common factors considered to be behind the suicide attempts of these 16 were, ‘restrictions on hobbies and enjoyment’ (50%), ‘deterioration of family relationships’ (44%), ‘unable to meet friends and acquaintances,’ ‘increased financial losses and decreased income’ (38%), and ‘increased alcohol consumption’ (31%).
Discussion
Indirect social impacts (economic impacts, changes in the occupational environment, changes in interpersonal relationships, and changes in living conditions) thought to have been caused by COVID-19 were background factors for suicide attempts.
This study is to conduct a survey on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and to clarify the relationship between social changes caused by the pandemic and suicide attempters.
Method
From November 2020 to December 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with suicide attempters who were transported to emergency medical facilities and agreed to participate in the study. As a result of this semi-structured interview, conducted by an experienced psychiatrist, the impact of COVID-19 on the background factors of suicidal behavior was assessed on a five-point scale and classified as (a) clearly present, (b) presumed to have had an impact, (c) impact unknown, (d) presumed to have had little impact, and (e) no impact. This study was conducted with the participation of four institutions and was approved by the ethics committees of each institution.
Results
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 64 people at all facilities. Of these, 24 were male (38%) and 40 were female (62%), with an average age of 35.7 (12-83) years old. The impact of COVID-19 was considered to be (a) in 2 cases, (b) in 14 cases, (c) in 10 cases, (d) in 18 cases, and (e) in 20 cases. A total of 16 suicide attempters were considered to have been affected by COVID-19, combining those who answered (a) and (b). The most common factors considered to be behind the suicide attempts of these 16 were, ‘restrictions on hobbies and enjoyment’ (50%), ‘deterioration of family relationships’ (44%), ‘unable to meet friends and acquaintances,’ ‘increased financial losses and decreased income’ (38%), and ‘increased alcohol consumption’ (31%).
Discussion
Indirect social impacts (economic impacts, changes in the occupational environment, changes in interpersonal relationships, and changes in living conditions) thought to have been caused by COVID-19 were background factors for suicide attempts.