Loneliness and Suicidal Behaviors: A Fresh Mental Health Concern in Post COVID-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

Mounting and multiple-direction evidence have implied the detrimental effect of loneliness on suicidal behavior. The problem has profoundly surfaced during the post COVID-19 pandemic period. The modern human race has a long and deep-rooted endeavor to combat loneliness since it often comes with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, substance abuse, etc. Surprisingly, the discourse regarding the comorbidity of suicidal behavior, loneliness, along with different other mental health problems often remains disregarded. During the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the physical, emotional, and financial losses accelerated different mental health problems, including suicidal behaviors. Most of the existing literature has focused on mental health consequences and suicidal behavior as an immediate outcome; however, a capful focused on the deep-rooted long-term effect of suicidal behavior as the consequence of pandemic-induced loneliness. Therefore, this chapter will endeavor to reveal the long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health through the lens of suicidality. Afterward, the discussion will suggest effective intervention plans and community resilience strategies for combating loneliness and suicidal behaviors that surfaced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.