The pandemic and responses to it (e.g. lockdowns, school closures) continue to impact the well-being of young adult Americans:
Researchers at Harvard, Northeastern, Rutgers, and Northwestern universities conducted eight large survey rounds across all US states from April through October, finding that young adults [18-24 years old] are increasingly having suicidal thoughts. In the US adult population as a whole, the incidence of suicidal ideation typically hovers around 3.4 percent. But this new study reveals that in October, 36.9 percent of young adults had suicidal thoughts, compared to 32.2 percent in May in the wake of the first round of government lockdowns.
These data follow a previous report by the CDC, which found that approximately 1 in 4 Americans aged 18-24 had considered suicide in the month of June.
The question of whether increased rates of suicidal ideation have translated into increased rates of suicide is unclear. A recent article published in the British Medical Journal summarised what is currently known:
Reports suggest either no rise in suicide rates (Massachusetts, USA; Victoria, Australia; England) or a fall (Japan, Norway) in the early months of the pandemic. The picture is much less clear in low income countries, where the safety nets available in better resourced settings may be lacking. News reports of police data from Nepal suggest a rise in suicides, whereas an analysis of data from Peru suggests the opposite.
Any change in the risk of suicide associated with covid-19 is likely to be dynamic. The 20% decrease in Japan early in the pandemic seemed to reverse in August, when a 7.7% rise was reported. Evidence from previous epidemics suggests a short term decrease in suicide can occur initially—possibly linked to a “honeymoon period” or “pulling together” phenomenon. Trends in certain groups may be hidden when looking at overall rates, and the National Child Mortality Database has identified a concerning signal that deaths by suicide among under 18s may have increased during the first phase of lockdown in the UK.
In short, ‘the overall picture is complex’. Therefore, it is ‘still too early to say what the ultimate effect of the pandemic will be on suicide rates.’
If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, support is available.
Lifeline (China): 400 821 1215 (10am – 10pm, 365 days a year)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (USA): 1-800-273-8255 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Samaritans (UK): 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year)
Additional suicide hotlines
