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. 2021 Mar 15:283:66-70.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.01.013. Epub 2021 Jan 11.

Suicidality among healthcare professionals during the first COVID19 wave

Ronny Bruffaerts  1 , Wouter Voorspoels  2 , Leontien Jansen  3 , Ronald C Kessler  4 , Philippe Mortier  5 , Gemma Vilagut  5 , Joke De Vocht  6 , Jordi Alonso  7
Affiliations

Suicidality among healthcare professionals during the first COVID19 wave

Ronny Bruffaerts et al. J Affect Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Prevalence estimates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB) among clinically active healthcare professionals during the first wave of COVID19 pandemic are non-existing. The main aim of this study was to investigate the 30-day prevalence of STB and associated risk factors.

Methods: As part of the Recovering Emotionally from COVID study (RECOVID), 30-day STB among healthcare professionals (N = 6,409) was assessed in an e-survey in healthcare settings in Belgium. The prevalence of STB and associated risk factors were estimated in multivariable models with individual-level and society-level measures of association. We used post-stratification weights to make the data representative for the entire clinical workforce in Belgium.

Results: Prevalence was 3.6% death wish, 1.5% suicide ideation, 1.0% suicide plan, and 0.0% suicide attempt. Thirty-day STB was (a) increased among respondents with lifetime and current mental disorders (mostly depression) and those hospitalized for COVID19 infection, (b) decreased among respondents with social support, and (c) unrelated to work environment.

Limitations: This is an explorative cross-sectional study using multivariate models that generates specific hypotheses on the prevalence of and risk factors for STB during the COVID19 pandemic rather than testing specific pathways that lead to STB onset.

Conclusions: Across age, gender, professional discipline, and exposure to COVID, lifetime and current mental disorders were highly associated with STB. These factors could guide governments and healthcare organizations in taking up responsibilities in preventing emotional problems and developing resilience among healthcare professionals during, but probably beyond, the current COVID19 pandemic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Kessler reports personal fees from Datastat, Inc., personal fees from Sage Pharmaceuticals, personal fees from Takeda, outside the submitted work. The other authors have nothing to disclose.

Figures

FIG. 1
FIG. 1
MULTIVARIATE POPULATION ATTRIBUTABLE RISK PROPORTIONS OF RISK FACTORS FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIOURS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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