Comparative Analysis of Characteristics of Patients Who Visited the Emergency Department due to Suicide Attempts During Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic

• Published in: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying 2024-11, Vol.90 (1), p.372-387
• Main Authors: Bae, Sung Jin, Lee, Dong Hoon, Lee, Duk Hee, Seo, Ah Young, Choi, Yoon Hee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age groups; Aged; Anxiety; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety - psychology; Comparative analysis; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Emergency Service, Hospital - statistics & numerical data; Emergency services; Female; Health problems; Humans; Male; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Middle Aged; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2; Suicide; Suicide, Attempted - psychology; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0030-2228; 1541-3764; 1541-3764
• DOI: 10.1177/00302228221106286

The coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected on mental health and contributed to increased depression and anxiety. We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide-related the emergency department (ED) visits. We compared the characteristics of suicide-related patients who visited the ED between the “COVID-19 period” and the “pre-COVID-19 period”. The mean age of patients was younger after COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison by age group, the proportion of patients during the COVID-19 period increased in their teens and 20s, and the rest of the age groups decreased. The proportion of patients who requested help was higher during the COVID-19. The authenticity of suicide attempts showed a higher proportion of patients during the pre-COVID-19. Therefore, during the pandemic, attention should be paid to worsening mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression, rather than the lethality of suicide attempts.