Innovations in suicide assessment and prevention during pandemics

Connor Brenna; Paul Links; Maxwell Tran; Mark Sinyor; Marnin Heisel; Simon Hatcher

doi:10.1071/phrp3132111

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Innovations in suicide assessment and prevention during pandemics

Connor Brenna ^A ^* , Paul Links ^B , Maxwell Tran ^A , Mark Sinyor ^C , Marnin Heisel ^D and Simon Hatcher ^E

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Postgraduate Medical Education, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

^B Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

^C Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

^D Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

^E Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

^* Correspondence to: connor.brenna@mail.utoronto.ca

Public Health Research and Practice 31, e3132111 https://doi.org/10.17061/phrp3132111

Published: 9 September 2021

Abstract

Emerging evidence, based on the synthesis of reports from past infectious disease-related public health emergencies, supports an association between previous pandemics and a heightened risk of suicide or suicide-related behaviours and outcomes. Anxiety associated with pandemic media reporting appears to be one critical contributing factor. Social isolation, loneliness, and the disconnect that can result from public health strategies during global pandemics also appear to increase suicide risk in vulnerable individuals. Innovative suicide risk assessment and prevention strategies are needed to recognise and adapt to the negative impacts of pandemics on population mental health.

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