Suicide prevention and COVID-19: the role of primary care during the pandemic and beyond

Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.

doi:10.3399/bjgp21X715637

Suicide prevention and COVID-19: the role of primary care during the pandemic and beyond

Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.

Authors

Carolyn Chew-Graham c.a.chew-graham@keele.ac.uk

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it multiple threats to mental wellbeing — the possibility or reality of serious physical illness; complex COVID-related bereavement; lockdowns that cause isolation and inhibit social contact, or that can increase exposure to abuse in the family; caring for children unable to go to school; and precarious employment and redundancy, failing businesses, and financial insecurity. The pandemic has exacerbated the longstanding pressure on resources and underinvestment in both statutory mental health and wider community services. Against this background we outline the current evidence for impact of COVID-19 on self-harm and suicide rates, and we consider how primary care can contribute to suicide prevention during COVID-19 and after the acute crisis has passed.

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Apr 29, 2021
Publication Date	Apr 29, 2021
Journal	British Journal of General Practice
Print ISSN	0960-1643
Publisher	Royal College of General Practitioners
Volume	71
Issue	706
Pages	200-201
DOI	https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp21X715637
Publisher URL	https://bjgp.org/content/71/706/200.long