Increase in non-fatal suicidal behaviors
A study carried out by the Sant Pau Research Institute has revealed that non-fatal suicidal behaviors have increased by 50.77% after confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic (https://www.softcatala.org/ summary-of-texts-in-catalan/). This increase has been significant and has been observed especially among young women and minors. These data highlight the prolonged impact of the pandemic on the mental health of the Catalan population.
The results of the study
The study has focused on non-lethal suicidal behaviors, such as suicidal ideation or attempts (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). The data collected in three periods have been analysed: the pre-confinement period, the confinement period and the post-confinement period. During the confinement, a reduction in these behaviors has been observed, but after the stricter measures, they have increased significantly.
Factors that may explain the increase
According to experts, the increase in non-fatal suicidal behaviors after confinement can be attributed to several factors. During the strict quarantine, people had less access to methods of taking their own lives, among other reasons, which may explain the reduction during this period. However, post-lockdown, complex factors such as isolation and economic challenges have occurred, which have contributed to the increase in non-fatal suicidal behaviors.
The importance of mental health in similar situations
Experts emphasize the need to implement preventive strategies and to consider mental health as an essential part of public health in similar situations (https://www.softcatala.org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). This study has shown that mental health is a much more global public health problem than previously thought, as it not only affects people with a psychiatric diagnosis, but the entire population.
The conclusions of the study
Researchers have concluded that the consequences of phenomena such as the pandemic have a profound impact on mental health and that they must be addressed from a public health perspective, not just psychiatry (https://www.softcatala. org/resum-de-textos-en-catala/). In addition, the importance of anticipating these impacts in similar situations in the future has been highlighted.