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. 2021 Mar:57:102560.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajp.2021.102560. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

COVID-19 and suicides in India: A pilot study of reports in the media and scientific literature

Mahima Panigrahi  1 , Jigyansa Ipsita Pattnaik  2 , Susanta Kumar Padhy  3 , Vikas Menon  4 , Suravi Patra  3 , Kumari Rina  3 , Subhransu Sekhar Padhy  5 , Binod Patro  6
Affiliations

COVID-19 and suicides in India: A pilot study of reports in the media and scientific literature

Mahima Panigrahi et al. Asian J Psychiatr. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

Background: Our objective was to analyze reports of COVID-19 related suicides (CRS) to identify associated factors with a broader goal to inform management and prevention strategies.

Methods: We searched scientific literature, government websites and online newspaper reports in English and nine regional languages to identify relevant CRS reports.

Results: A total of 151 CRS reports were retrieved. CRS was more frequently reported among males (80.8%), those whose COVID status was unknown (48.0%), and those in quarantine/isolation (49.0%).

Conclusion: The above findings may assist identification of at-risk individuals for COVID-19 related suicidal behavior.

Keywords: Asia; COVID-19; India; Self-Harm; Suicide; Suicide prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest relevant to the contents of the manuscript.

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