COVID–19流行下における自殺企図患者の推移(Changes in suicide attempt patients during the COVID–19 pandemic)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim : We aimed to investigate the influence of the COVID–19 pandemic on suicide and suicide attempts in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with suicide and suicide attempts who were transferred to our hospital during the COVID–19 pandemic period (January to December 2020) and a similar non–COVID–19 pandemic period (January 2018 to December 2019). We also investigated the age and monthly number of patients with suicide and suicide attempts during the COVID–19 pandemic period and compared them with the number of patients with COVID–19. Results : In 2020, 39% of patients attempting suicide were in their 20s or younger, an increase in the proportion of younger patients compared to 27% in the non–COVID–19 pandemic period. During the COVID–19 pandemic period, the monthly number of suicide attempts showed an inverse variation with the increase or decrease in the number of COVID–19 patients. The same trend was also observed for patients committing suicide. Conclusion : The number of suicide attempts among young people increased during the COVID–19 pandemic and the number of suicide attempts seemed to be affected with the number of COVID–19 patients. Further analysis of the impact of the pandemic on suicide attempts is needed.