Trends in suicide attempts and suicide deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in New Taipei City, Taiwan: an interrupted time-series analysis

Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Mexican University Students Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health of populations around the world, but few longitudinal studies of its impact on suicidal thoughts and behaviors have been published especially from low- and middle-income countries.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study of 1,385 first-year students from 5 Universities in Mexico followed-up for 1 year. We report 1-year cumulative incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors before (September 19, 2019-March 29, 2020) and during the COVID-19 period (March 30, 2020-June 30, 2020), focusing on those in the COVID-19 period with risk conditions and positive coping strategies during the pandemic.

RESULTS

There was an increase in the incidence of suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (RR 1.65, 95%CI 1.08-2.50). This increase was mostly found among students with heightened sense of vulnerability (RR 1.95), any poor coping behavior (RR 2.40) and a prior mental disorder (RR 2.41). While we found no evidence of an increased risk of suicidal planning or attempts, there was evidence that those without lifetime mental health disorders were at greater risk of suicidal plans than those with these disorders especially if they had poor coping strategies (RR 3.14).

CONCLUSION

In the short term, how students deal with the pandemic, being at high risk and having poor coping behavior, increased the new occurrence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Studies with longer follow-up and interventions to reduce or enhance these behaviors are needed.HIGHLIGHTSSuicidal ideation increased during the COVID-19 periodThose with heightened sense of vulnerability and poor coping were more affectedStudies with longer follow-up are needed.

Magnitude and Associated Factors of Suicidal Ideation and Attempts among High School Adolescents of Jimma Town, Ethiopia

Background

Studies show that suicidal ideation and attempt are major predictors of suicide. Flourishing technologies such cyber bullying, increased local and global events, like pandemics, wars, and effects of climate change exacerbate vulnerability of adolescents to mental health problems. Thus, timely epidemiological information is important for evidence-based practices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the magnitude and associated factors of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt among school adolescents.

Methods

A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2022 on randomly selected 1144 school adolescents using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Then, data were cleaned, entered into Epi-data V.3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Multivariable logistic regression was done to identify predictors of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt among adolescents. Adjusted odds ratio and confidence interval (CI) were respectively used to measure statistical associations and their statistical significance.

Results

The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt were 22.5%, and 13.3%, respectively, while 12-month suicidal ideation and attempt were found to be 14.6% and 10%, respectively. Being female, disappointment in school results, family history of suicide attempt, current alcohol intake, anxiety, and chronic medical condition were significantly associated with both suicidal ideation and attempt while cyber bullying was significantly associated with suicidal ideation only.

Conclusions

Unsupportive home environment plus behavioral and medical conditions predispose school adolescents to suicidal ideation and attempt. The Ministry of Education and school administrations should facilitate favorable environment that enhance mental health awareness and protection of school adolescents. Building better parent-child relationship and parental discretion on the use of mobile phones can mitigate suicidal ideation and attempt.