Covid-19 has affected people in many ways. The panic, social stigma and economic instability have further added to the problem. Reports suggest that there is a rise in the number of suicides during the pandemic across the country. The police recorded 466 suicides till July 31 this year with an average of 67 people ending their life every month. Last year, 710 people committed suicide, an average of 59 suicides a month.
What have you been doing during the #COVID19 pandemic? According to our survey, participants spent the most time on hobbies and working from home over the past month. Help us learn more about the impacts of the pandemic by taking and sharing the survey: https://t.co/DftQmuHRxj pic.twitter.com/jkuFKga6m4
— Sangath (@SangathIndia) August 4, 2020
Suicide during pandemic
Recently, a head constable, who had tested positive for Covid-19, has allegedly killed himself by jumping out from a fifth-floor window of the Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre. The incident, which happened on Sunday, was caught on CCTV. According to police, the constable had COVID-like symptoms last month. He was admitted to the TMU’s corona ward on September 4 after having tested positive for Covid-19. The hospital staff said that he was under a ‘lot of stress and even had arguments with the hospital staff’.
Brother of BJP’s Tirwa MLA Kailash Rajput committed suicide in Kannauj on Friday by jumping from the second floor of a medical college, where he was admitted after contracting coronavirus. The exact cause of suicide could not be known but locals said he took the extreme step due to a fear of COVID-19.
MH may have highest total no. of suicides (not surprising, given its popln), Suicide rate is better comparison. Ignoring UTs & small states, #KL #Chattisgarh & #Telangana in top 3. Same keep swapping places last 3 yrs. #CG real outlier. Low GDP – high rate ! #SuicidePrevention pic.twitter.com/SFb4ZTQhsr
— Soumitra 🌻 সৌমিত্র சௌமித்ரா سومترہ (@netshrink) September 1, 2020
A 37-year-old journalist undergoing treatment for Covid allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the fourth floor of the AIIMS Trauma Centre. The incident took place on July 6 around 2 pm. The man jumped from the fourth floor of the Trauma Centre and was shifted to ICU. AIIMS in a statement that said the journalist was admitted to AIIMS Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre on June 24 with Covid-19. He was making significant recovery from Covid symptoms. He was stable on room air on Monday and was planned for shifting to a general ward from the ICU.
A 22-year-old medical student died after he allegedly jumped off the roof of hostel number 19 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital. The incident took place at around 6 PM on 10, August.
A 28-year-old Thiruvananthapuram native man was on 30 August, found dead at his house in Karakonam in the district. A suicide note, which has been discovered from the spot, states that Anu took his life due to unemployment. As per his family, Anu had got 77th rank for the post of civil excise officer but he was very much worried after the PSC rank list got cancelled.
Family of five in Dahod district of Gujarat state was found dead in their home after committing suicide was facing “financial crisis and incurred large sums of debt, which was made worse due to COVID-19.”
Causes of Suicide During Pandemic
While the link between suicide and mental disorders (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) is well established, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors include the experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, a relationship break-up, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies. The strongest risk factor for suicide is a previous suicide attempt.
This short video explains the importance of understanding #COVID19's impact on #MentalHealth. Help contribute to this mission by taking Sangath’s My Wellness & COVID-19 survey and also share it within with your networks: https://t.co/DftQmuHRxj@abhiloquacious @urvitabhatia pic.twitter.com/xjGQ9hU6KB
— Sangath (@SangathIndia) June 18, 2020
Lockdown can have a different psychological impact in different age groups as well:
For students, this time is full of uncertainty and doubts, tension and fear. No clarity yet on how most institutes plan to proceed, students said anxiety about their exams overshadowed their pandemic worries.
Rise in unemployment and poverty linked with a higher incidence of mental health problems, which could even culminate in suicide for many.
With Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in states, there is a rise in no. of domestic violence cases.
📍Guidelines for women facing domestic violence:
➡️Have a safety plan if violence against you or children escalates
➡️Identify a neighbour/friend/relative/colleague for help in emergency#StaySafe #IndiaWillWin pic.twitter.com/bfR6cCVa69
— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) September 6, 2020
Prof. P K Dalal, President, Indian Psychiatric Society, “We are all aware that the effects of Covid-19 are not limited only to our physical health but are going to affect the psychological and emotional health of large a number of people in the country. As mental health professionals, it is our responsibility and duty to deal with the current situation with great courage, an extraordinary spirit and resilient mindset. We need to be in touch with the local community in every possible way and help the government in implementing necessary steps for prevention of further spread.”
TW: For the next few days, we will be tweeting about a new project on #SuicidePrevention. If you feel disturbed or stressed by the content, please reach out to someone you trust or call the following helpline for support. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay pic.twitter.com/a9Qi2XHdMU
— Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, ILS, Pune (@CMHLPIndia) September 4, 2020
Suicide Prevention Policy
WHO states that there are only 28 countries that have a suicide prevention policy in place, and India is not one of them. Lack of adequate suicide data and research also restricts a country’s ability to fight suicide. Educating the media on how to report on suicide needs to be made an important imperative.
एक लोकतंत्र को ऐसे नागरिकों की आवश्यकता है, जो जागरूक होने के साथ-साथ अपने अधिकार भी जानते हों। ऐसी बातचीत को बढ़ावा देने के लिए, हम एक नई सीरीज़ #अपनेअधिकारजानिए – शुरू कर रहे हैं। यह मानसिक स्वास्थ्य देख-रेख अधिनियम में लिखी बातों को आपके समक्ष एक सरल रूप में लाने की कोशिश है। pic.twitter.com/QWDTE2mBQq
— Centre for Mental Health Law & Policy, ILS, Pune (@CMHLPIndia) August 17, 2020
