The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of life. As the virus has spread globally, anxious individuals have voluntarily engaged in physical distancing and reduced their economic activities to prevent infection. To contain the virus, governments have implemented large-scale costly interventions in an unprecedented manner: citizens and communities have been requested to limit social contacts, avoid social gatherings, close schools and stop unnecessary business activities. To date, most scientific and clinical attention has been given to identifying the disease’s direct physical risk and its prevention.
However, the pandemic has adversely affected people’s mental health and in a more pressing scenario—deaths from suicide have increased drastically.
People commit suicide for all sorts of reasons; death of loved one, loss of job, business, home, divorce, bankruptcy, loneliness and much more. So yes, COVID-19 has a plethora of mental health ramifications; including suicide.
The shuttering of the country’s economy and the dramatic spike in unemployment is the first factor that has led to increased suicide. We already know there is a strong correlation between unemployment and suicide. Men and women who are unemployed are two to three times more likely to commit suicide than their employed counterparts. This relationship seems to hold regardless if you are looking specifically at unemployment or at cyclical recessions. The bottom line is when a person’s financial life collapses, suicide becomes more prevalent.
Another factor is the increased consumption of alcohol. Although we see many memes and jokes about the increase in drinking since the lockdown, that increase poses a significant problem and risk.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with people more socially isolated than ever, the world saw a rise in suicides for the first time in comparison to the past.
Studies show that loneliness has been linked to a higher risk of health issues like heart disease, dementia, and eating disorders.
In an effort to tackle rising suicide rate in Japan, the country has recently appointed a ‘Minister of Loneliness’ to help reduce loneliness and social isolation among citizens.
The suicide rate in Japan has increased first time in 11 years owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
According to The Japan Times, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga appointed a minister of loneliness to his Cabinet earlier this month, following the example of the United Kingdom, which in 2018 became the first country to appoint a minister with a similar designation.
Suga appointed minister Tetsushi Sakamoto, who is also in charge of alleviating the nation’s falling birth rate and revitalising regional economies, for the new portfolio, Japan Times reported.
“Women are suffering from isolation more (than men are), and the number of suicides is on a rising trend,” Suga told Sakamoto on a February 12 news conference announcing the new role, according to the Japan Times.
“I hope you will identify problems and promote policy measures comprehensively,” Sugo said while appointing Sakamoto as the Minister of Loneliness.
Japan’s new Loneliness Minister said he planned to hold an emergency forum in late February to hear concerns from people dealing with loneliness and isolation.
Considering the rapid increase in suicide rates worldwide during the corona pandemic, Japan’s move to appoint the loneliness Minister is truly praiseworthy.
An analysis of the psychological toll on health care providers during outbreaks found that psychological distress can last up to three years after an outbreak. Due to the financial crisis accompanying the pandemic, there are also significant implications for mortality due to “deaths of despair.” A May 2020 analysis projects that, based on the economic downturn and social isolation, additional deaths due to suicide and alcohol or drug misuse may occur by 2029.
There is a grave need to mainstream mental health conversations, create awareness, increase help-seeking and shedding stigma.
As policymakers continue to discuss further actions to alleviate the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic, it will be important for the policy makers around the globe to take concrete steps that promise mental healthcare for all with a holistic and rights-based approach.