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A comparison of rate and methods of probable suicide for 2 years pre and post the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2024

D. Mannix ,
L. Holleran ,
P. Cevikel ,
C. McMorrow ,
D. Nerney ,
S. Phelan ,
C. McDonald  and
B. Hallahan
D. Mannix*
Affiliation:
Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
L. Holleran
Affiliation:
Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
P. Cevikel
Affiliation:
Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
C. McMorrow
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University College hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
D. Nerney
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University College hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
S. Phelan
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University College hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
C. McDonald
Affiliation:
Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
B. Hallahan
Affiliation:
Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
*
Corresponding author: D. Mannix; Email: drdylanmannix@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objectives:

To examine and compare rates and methods of probable suicide in a Western region of Ireland during a 24 month period since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with a similar period immediately prior to the pandemic onset.

Methods:

Post-mortem reports between March 1st 2018 and February 29th 2020 were reviewed and compared with data from March 1st 2020 to February 28th 2022. Relevant demographic data, rates and methods of probable suicide and lifetime engagement with mental health services were compared across the two time points.

Results:

Identical rates of probable suicide (85 individuals at both time points) were demonstrated with no difference evident in the utilisation of violent compared to non-violent methods.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that despite previous reports of increased rates of self-harm and some evidence of increased mental distress since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, no change in rates of or methods employed by individuals who died by probable suicide were evident in this geographical region.

Keywords

SuicideCOVID-19hanging

Information

Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 41 , Issue 3 , September 2024 , pp. 348 - 353
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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