Abstract
Background
There has been substantial discussion as to whether the mental health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic might impact suicide rates. Although India accounts for the largest proportion of global suicides, the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in this country are unknown.
Methods
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data were used to calculate annual suicide rates for the period 2010–2020, stratified by sex and state. Rate Ratios (RRs) stratified by sex and state were calculated to estimate the extent of change in suicide rates.
Results
Suicide rates in India generally showed a decreasing trend from 2010 until 2017, with the trend reversing after this period, particularly for males. Among males and females, the highest increase post 2017 was noted in 2020 (compared to 2017) (males: RR = 1.18 95% UI 1.17–1.19; females: RR = 1.05 95% UI 1.03–1.06).
Limitation
Suicide rates based on the NCRB data might be an underestimation of the true suicide rates.
Conclusion
Suicide rates in India increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the increase in suicide rates, especially among males, predates the pandemic, the increase in suicide rates was highest in 2020, compared to increases in previous years. Further research is warranted to understand the potential ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide in India.
There has been substantial discussion as to whether the mental health and socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic might impact suicide rates. Although India accounts for the largest proportion of global suicides, the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates in this country are unknown.
Methods
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data were used to calculate annual suicide rates for the period 2010–2020, stratified by sex and state. Rate Ratios (RRs) stratified by sex and state were calculated to estimate the extent of change in suicide rates.
Results
Suicide rates in India generally showed a decreasing trend from 2010 until 2017, with the trend reversing after this period, particularly for males. Among males and females, the highest increase post 2017 was noted in 2020 (compared to 2017) (males: RR = 1.18 95% UI 1.17–1.19; females: RR = 1.05 95% UI 1.03–1.06).
Limitation
Suicide rates based on the NCRB data might be an underestimation of the true suicide rates.
Conclusion
Suicide rates in India increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the increase in suicide rates, especially among males, predates the pandemic, the increase in suicide rates was highest in 2020, compared to increases in previous years. Further research is warranted to understand the potential ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide in India.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 215-220 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Volume | 307 |
| Early online date | 6 Apr 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Jun 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Matthew J. Spittal is a recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (project number FT180100075 ) funded by the Australian Government.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.
Research Groups and Themes
- SASH
Keywords
- Suicide
- COVID-19
- India
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the accepted author manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Elsevier at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.03.066. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.