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Literature Review
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Literature Review
COVID-19 was a significant stressor that precipitated an unprecedented rise in incidences of mental health problems, contributing to the rise in suicide rates in the populace. Moreno et al. (2020) reported a significant rise in cases of anxiety attacks and depression in individuals, which are ailments that predispose individuals to suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, the restrictions instigated to curb the spread of the coronavirus led to disruption in the availability of health services, including mental health services. Therefore, although many individuals in the populace required mental health services due to a high prevalence of mental distortions, the services they could not access the services effectively. Galea and Ettman (2021) posit that these two aspects were the primary cause of the deterioration of health experienced during the pandemic, resulting in high suicide rates. In addition, the increased use of addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol also contributed to the rise in poor judgment, which resulted in massive suicide rates.
Causes of an Increase in Mental Health Problems that Caused an Increase in Suicide Rates due to Unavailability of Mental Health Services
Banerjee et al. (2021) outlined the varying situations that led to increased cases of mental health problems, resulting in an increased prevalence of suicide rates in the populace. Some of these factors included a lack of adequate finances for day-to-day expenses. During the pandemic, many businesses closed down, leading to a massive loss of employment. As a result, many citizens were concerned about the lack of funds they needed to cater to necessary expenses such as food, shelter, and medical services (Barnejee et al., 2021). The financial meltdown resulted in many suffering from anxiety and depressive disorder, which are significant medical conditions requiring the intervention of mental health experts.
Acharya et al. (2021) also mentioned a breakdown in relationships as a significant cause of a rapid increase of mental health problems in the populace during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of the study conducted by the authors indicated that high anxiety levels and stress levels led to an increase in incidences of conflicts among individuals in society. Some of the most prevalent cases include conflicts between marital partners that precipitated a rise in cases of domestic abuse. Also, disagreements between parents and their children and siblings increased significantly. The result was a rise in the number of people who showed clinical manifestations of depression and anxiety, such as extreme outbursts of emotions, being overly sad and depressed, and isolating themselves from other individuals. Devitt (2020) stated that the isolation during the pandemic due to stay-at-home orders and lockdowns caused many people totaling over 200 million, to live in isolated spaces with minimal social interactions. The resultant loneliness precipitated increased incidences of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Relationship between Disruption of Mental Health Services and High Suicide Rated During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Mitchell and Li (2021) identified the disruption of mental health services as a significant cause of the rise in suicide rates during the pandemic. The rapid spread of the coronavirus spread led to the instigation of stringent measures to curb person-to-person transmissions. The measures included a stay-at-home order and limited person-to-person interactions in society. As a result, mental healthcare services became unavailable to the public to limit the spread of the virus. Also, many individuals were afraid of visiting healthcare organizations because they were afraid of contracting the virus. Ganesan et al. (2021) explained that the situation led to psychiatric patients failing to access medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants that are vital in controlling the symptoms of mental health disorders, such as a desire to engage in self-harm. As a result, many psychiatric patients whose psychiatric conditions had previously been controlled effectively committed suicide due to a lack of medication.
Sher (2020) mentioned a rapid rise in demand for healthcare services as a significant cause of the disruption of mental healthcare services in society. The virus outbreak increased the number of patients visiting emergency rooms, which overwhelmed healthcare facilities. The result was that many hospital beds were reserved for critically ill patients, many of whom were the victims of the potent virus (Sher, 2020). This aspect made other essential services, such as mental healthcare services, temporarily unavailable, which contributed significantly to the rise in suicide cases.
Risk Factors for Increased COVID-19 Suicides
Wand et al. (2020) identified older adults as a population at a higher risk of committing suicide due to the unavailability of mental health services. According to the authors, many adults suffer from mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and PSTD. The conditions are triggered by factors specific to this population, such as loneliness due to separation from family members, stress due to the effects of acute and chronic ailments, and a decrease in productivity. Zalsman et al. (2020) argued that the increased rate of suicide in this population was caused by a lack of adequate mental health services to control the clinical manifestations of psychiatric disorders. The result was increased suicide among older adults, especially those living in isolated places where they lack individuals to interact with.
Homelessness was another significant aspect that increased the risk of individuals committing suicide due to a lack of mental health services. The loss of employment associated with the pandemic led people to lose their jobs and lack the finances needed for self-sustenance. In addition, the condition of this population was aggravated by aspects such as running into debts to meet their day-to-day expenses. As a result, the number of homeless individuals in the populace rose significantly. Devitt (2020) stated that the lack of psychiatric care needed to control the anxiety and depression in those affected made them resort to using substances such as alcohol and drugs to calm their nerves. Wand et al. (2020) indicated that the addictive substances clouded the judgment of homeless individuals resulting in an inclination towards self-harm. As a result, many homeless individuals commit suicide to end their misery and frustrations.
Acharya et al. (2022) mentioned essential workers, such as healthcare providers, as a target population who experienced high suicide rates due to the coronavirus pandemic. Healthcare providers were tasked with caring for COVID-19 patients. Therefore, they were exposed to the trauma associated with the severity of the condition, such as uncontrolled fatalities. The constant brush with death and handling severely ill patients had devastating effects on the mental well-being of the patients. In addition, many of the professionals contracted the virus while caring for patients and became severely ill, or they died. The result was that most of the professionals feared that they might contract the virus and infect those close to them, including their friends and family members. Despite being exposed to high-stress levels, those in the medical profession did not get the mental health services that are vital in protecting them from the psychological effects of the experiences. Some of the mental impacts of the pandemic noted in this population include poor eating and sleeping patterns and an increase in the consumption of alcoholic substances (Moreno et al., 2020). Ultimately, the number of professionals who committed suicide during this period was significantly high.
Mitchell and Li (2021) mentioned an increase in the sale of weapons and firearms as a significant factor contributing to the high suicide rates associated with the lack of mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an investigation conducted by the authors, over 70% of the suicides that occurred during the pandemic resulted from gunshot wounds. The experts investigated and related the increased suicide rates to the increased sale of firearms in the country. Further, Sher (2020) reported a significant increase in the routine background checks that are usually conducted on individuals before the sale of firearms. The drastic increase in routine checks proved that many individuals were purchasing weapons during this period (Devitt, 2020). The increased availability of weapons in residential homes and poor storage of the devices contributed to a significant rise in the number of individuals who needed the intervention necessary to improve their mental well-being. Still, they could not access it, resulting in their taking their own lives.
Another vital risk factor that contributed to the high prevalence of suicide rates in the populace caused by lack of adequate mental services is the constant exposure to information about the high rates of infection with the coronavirus and the severity of the symptoms that the patients presented with. Also, the fatalities from the viral infection were significantly high and were constantly reported in different avenues including social media and local and international news (Ganesan et al., 2021). The information caused massive panic in the populace, contributing to high suicide rates among mentally unstable people. The individuals could not cope with the anxiety and high-stress levels that accompanied the shocking revelations. Some of the symptoms that many individuals exhibited before engaging in self-harm included developing poor feeding and sleeping patterns (Zalsman et al., 2020). It also included increased potentially harmful habits such as consuming alcoholic beverages, smoking, and taking drugs that cause dependence excessively.
Galea and Ettman (2021) investigated alcohol addiction as a risk factor that increased the rate of suicide in the populace due to the unavailability of mental health services. According to the investigation, the measures put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus, such as restriction of movement and curfews, affected individuals’ drinking habits. The result was that many habitual drinkers suffered from withdrawal symptoms due to the sudden absence of alcohol in their systems. Some of the symptoms that the individuals manifest include tremors or seizures. They may also have difficulties falling asleep and be highly anxious. In some cases, they may also experience delirium. The clinical manifestations of withdrawal from alcohol are severe; hence they need the intervention of a psychological expert to control them effectively (Wand et al., 2020). Therefore, the lack of mental services during the pandemic increased the chances of alcohol addicts engaging in self-harming acts like suicide.
Barnejee et al. (2021) documented social stigma as a vital risk that increased suicide rates in the populace due to a lack of mental health services. According to the authors, viral infections and their drastic effects on the populace increased incidences of stigma, resulting in an escalation in self-harming tendencies. This includes discrimination against individuals of some races because of their susceptibility to viral infection. Also, it included avoidance and stigmatization of those placed in isolated places for monitoring to determine whether they had been exposed to the virus. Interestingly, the stigmatization noted during the pandemic affected those directly impacted by the suspicions over the possibility of their being affected by their coronavirus and the members of their families. The trend resulted in many individuals suffering from psychological distortions such as high stress and anxiety levels (Galea and Ettman, 2021). The unavailability of mental health services that would have equipped them with the skills needed to cope with the challenges they were experiencing led to a high rate of suicides among these populations.
Statistics on the Relationship between Mental Health Services and Suicide rates During the COVID-19 Pandemic
According to Zalsman et al. (2020), the WHO reported a 25% increase in cases of high anxiety levels and depression worldwide. This increased prevalence is associated with multiple stresses that individuals grapple with in society, such as grief over the death of loved ones, fear of death due to viral infection, and economic struggles. Further statistical evidence indicates that the individuals most affected by the increased predisposition to mental health problems and lack of mental healthcare services are the young and the women. The rate of prevalence of mental health problems is high among young people due to high-stress levels that are caused by factors such as the closure of learning institutions, the challenges of using online learning programs and constant conflicts with their families, or the effects of parental separation (Moreno et al., 2020). On the other hand, women have experienced a high rate of mental health problems due to concerns over school closure and the lack of individuals who can care for their young ones.
Ganesan et al. (2021) outlined the gaps in mental health care during the coronavirus pandemic that have contributed to the increased suicide rates in society. The essential services most severely affected by the measures put in place to curb the spread of the virus include the services used to manage the mental health conditions triggered by maladaptive changes in the neurological system. This includes disorders such as schizophrenia, PSTD, autism, and ADHD. Another vital category of services adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic was suicide prevention services, including screening for suicide risk, which is a service that can be implemented effectively during face-to-face interactions (Devitt, 2020). Therefore, the unavailability of the face to face interactions between therapists and clients was a significant impediment to the provision of the service, resulting in uncontrolled cases of the condition.
Explanation of the Connection between the COVID-19 Pandemic and High Prevalence of Suicide
The altruism concept is the third principle attributed to Durkheim that explains the increased tendency to commit suicide during pandemics. According to the theoretical framework, individuals tend to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their loved ones. It explains the actions of individuals who end their own life when exposed to coronavirus to avoid infecting their loved ones (Barnejee et al., 2021). Joiner’s theoretical framework is another significant factor that contributes to the prevalence of suicide during pandemics. The concept indicates that individuals’ perception that they are a burden to others increases the chances of committing suicide. This trend is significant in vulnerable individuals such as those with chronic ailments or those with preexisting psychiatric disorders who require constant care and monitoring and are at a high risk of contracting the virus (Barnejee et al., 2021). The trend is precipitated by individuals harboring negative emotions such as a sense of hopelessness that instills a sense of desperation.
Strategies that could have helped in Reducing the Incidences of Suicide due to Lack of Mental Health Services
Ganesan et al. (2021) outline some of the approaches that could have helped in reducing the rate of suicide that was caused by a lack of adequate mental health services. Firstly, the instigation of platforms such as helplines that those in need of psychiatric intervention could use to seek would have been fundamental in ensuring that those in need of the services accessed them promptly, hence reducing the possibility of their engaging in self-harm. Another integral approach is using remote healthcare systems such as telehealth to provide psychiatric care to those in need (Sher, 2020). Although the process would not be as effective as face-to-face interactions in caring for those with psychiatric disorders, it would ensure that they receive timely care that would prevent them from engaging in dangerous actions.
Community awareness programs would have also helped reduce the rates of suicides in the populace. It would have helped individuals conceptualize the clinical manifestations that indicate that individuals could be planning to engage in self-harm (Moreno et al., 2020). Some of the signs that they should be enlightened about include admitting that they feel hopeless and being overly fearful about the possibility of their contracting and spreading the virus to their loved ones. Encouraging adequate reporting of issues related to the pandemic is another vital aspect that could have helped reduce incidences of suicide that were noted during the pandemic. The approaches that could have been used in ensuring that vital information about mortality rates and infection rates include documenting factual content that is not exaggerated. Secondly, it includes seeking information from individuals who are highly knowledgeable about the facts about the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on the populace. Educating the masses about the platforms through which they can seek help for psychological distress would also be an essential process that would ensure that individuals do not engage in potentially harmful actions (Acharya et al., 2022). The process would ensure that they get the help they need to cope with challenges constructively.
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic had a drastic impact on different aspects of the lives of humanity. Studies indicate that one of the areas where the negative impact of the pandemic was felt was in the mental health of individuals. The challenges that the viral infection caused led to increased mental health distortions in the populace. The increased incidences of psychological disorders were caused by factors such as loss of employment, the meltdown of the economy, and stringent measures that were put in place to curb the spread of the virus. However, it also prevented individuals from accessing mental healthcare services. This led to an increased rate of suicide among vulnerable populations. This included those previously diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, healthcare providers, and older adults. The connection between the inclination towards suicidal behaviors and the presence of COVID-19 can be explained using Durkheim’s theory, which explores how the two aspects are connected. Nevertheless, the high suicide rates noted would have been reduced by providing healthcare services remotely and increasing awareness about the signs of mental distortions that should indicate that an individual needs psychological help.
References
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Banerjee, D., Kosagisharaf, J. R., & Rao, T. S. (2021). ‘The dual pandemic of suicide and COVID-19: A biopsychosocial narrative of risks and prevention. Psychiatry Research, 295, 113577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113577
Devitt P. (2020). Can we expect an increased suicide rate due to Covid-19? Irish Journal of psychological medicine, 37(4), 264–268. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2020.46.
Galea, S., & Ettman, C. K. (2021). Mental Health and Mortality in a Time of COVID-19. American Journal of Public Health, 111(S2), S73-S74.
Ganesan, B., Al-Jumaily, A., Fong, K., Prasad, P., Meena, S. K., & Tong, R. K. (2021). Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak Quarantine, Isolation, and Lockdown Policies on Mental Health and Suicide. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 565190. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.565190
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Sher, Leo (2020 June 30). The Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. Volume 113, Issue 10, pp. 707-712. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa202
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