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.

Effects of Fear of COVID-19 on Mental Well-Being and Quality of Life: A path analysis

“…Besides signi cantly straining the global healthcare and economic systems, COVID-19 imposes an unprecedented level of physical isolation (determined by public health measures) that challenges our most basic human motivations (especially our need for human connection), affecting every aspect of society (Hagerty & Williams, 2020). The experience of a severe viral pandemic (and its social and economic fallout) creates a sense of uncertainty triggering psychological distress, such as sadness, boredom, worry, fear, anger, annoyance, confusion, frustration, grief, guilt, helplessness, loneliness, and nervousness (Bao et al, 2020;Dsouza et al, 2020;Gunawan et al, 2020;Mamun & Gri ths, 2020;Mukhtar, 2020;Tull et al, 2020;Xiang et al, 2020).…”

“…Aiming to slow the spread of the virus, overload of healthcare systems and infection-related mortality, governments around the globe have implemented public health measures (such as isolation, quarantine, physical and social distancing) as fundamental infection control measures (Dsouza et al, 2020;Lai et al, 2020;Tull et al, 2020). These unpleasant changes bring the perception of constrained freedom (sense of loss of control and being trapped, especially in those separated from family), increasing psychological distress and community anxiety (Brooks et al, 2020;).…”

Social and electronic media exposure and generalized anxiety disorder among people during COVID-19 outbreak in Bangladesh: A preliminary observation

“…However, some others are suggesting that the exposure to media during pandemic and epidemic increased severe mental health outcomes, including suicidal behavior [26][27][28]. Apart from the social exclusion and mental health issues, employment and financial issues also led to suicide [21,28,29].…”

“…Bangladesh has witnessed its first COVID-19 related suicide on 25 March 2020, though the victim was not diagnosed with COVID-19 [34]. The suicide marks the strong presence of fears and stresses among people, as evident in various countries of the world [28,29,35].…”

COVID-19: The Hidden Impact on Mental Health and Drug Addiction

“…There is concern the Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 pandemic is having a negative impact on the mental health of the general population through a range of suggested mechanisms: fear, uncertainty, and anxiety; social distancing/isolation; loneliness; and economic repercussions (1)(2)(3). Previous disasters such as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 (4-6) contributed to increased anxiety, mood, and thought disorders, adjustment disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) (1,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15), resulting, in extreme cases, in suicidal behaviours (e.g., suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and actual suicide) (10,16), especially in cases of concomitant Substance Use Disorder (SUD) (17,18). According to a recent study from the Well Being Trust (18) the high levels of stress, isolation and unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic could cause up to 75,000 "deaths of despair" related to deaths to drug, alcohol, and suicide (18).…”