Aggregated COVID-19 suicide incidences in India: Fear of COVID-19 infection is the prominent causative factor

Abstract

Many Indian COVID-19 suicide cases are turning the press-media attention and flooding in the social media platforms although, no particular studies assessed the COVID-19 suicide causative factors to a large extent. Therefore, the present study presents 69 COVID-19 suicide cases (aged 19 to 65 years; 63 cases were males). The suicide causalities are included as follows – fear of COVID-19 infection (n=21), followed by financial crisis (n=19), loneliness, social boycott and pressure to be quarantine, COVID-19 positive, COVID-19 work-related stress, unable to come back home due to lockdown, unavailability of alcohol etc. Considering the extreme psychological impacts related to COVID-19, there emerges a need for countrywide extensive tele-mental health care services.

Mental health research in the lower-middle-income countries of Africa and Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

“… Fear of COVID-19 infection (47.05%), misinterpretation of fever as COVID-19 (26.47%) and depression and loneliness (20.58%) were the most cited reasons for suicide. 17 Aggregated COVID-19 suicide incidences in India: Fear of COVID-19 infection is the prominent causative factor ( Dsouza et al, 2020 ) Media reports; n = 69; Cross-sectional study COVID-19-related suicide The age of victims ranged from 19 to 65 years. The suicide cases were disproportionately males.…”

“…Self-harm and general psychological well-being have also been evaluated ( Thakur & Jain, 2020 ). Fear, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and precipitate suicidal attempts due to COVID-19 related information overload by media have also been highlighted in case studies ( Dsouza, Quadros, Hyderabadwala, & Mamun, 2020 ). The National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of mental ill-health (NASP) has been actively attempting to curb the self-harming behavior in the ongoing pandemic by increasing awareness and emphasizing early intervention ( Sahoo et al, 2020 ).…”

Covid Warriors in India: Battling Denial Stigma and Discrimination

“…Furthermore, it is shocking that denial, stigma and discrimination seem to have seeped into our communities and that people seem to be committing suicide when they come to know they have tested positive for COVID-19. A recent study presented 69 COVID-19 suicide cases aged between 19 to 65 years out of which 63 were males (Dsouza et al, 2020).…”

“…The other set of reasons were COVID-19 work-related stress and their inability to come back home due to lockdowns, and even unavailability of alcohol etc. (Dsouza et al, 2020). Dr Rafique, Cardio-Vascular Health Officer (CVHO), World Health Organisation (WHO), Wayanad, Kerala, writes that people are afraid of going to a hospital for fear of getting infected with COVID-19.…”

The Psychological Aspects of COVID-19: A Review

“…48 Indian commentaries focus on chaotic and stressed environment 49 with fear being the leading cause of suicides in India. 21 The commentary from Canada 50 and United Kingdom 51 discusses about the psychological distress of health care workers and the major issues they face. The commentary from Singapore talks about the panic spread due to COVID-19, and possible ways to mitigate the psychological stress.…”