Table 4 Recommendations for preventing suicidal deaths and suicidal attempts
From: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicidal attempts and death rates: a systematic review
Study | Recommendations |
|---|---|
Ammerman et al., 2021 [30] |  − Increase suicide risk screening to identify those who are at risk  − Introduce a more systematic screening process (e.g. integrate suicide risk screenings into the protocol at COVID-19 testing sites)  − Implementation of follow-up phone calls to facilitate care connection, if suicide risk is indicated  − Increase access to intervention for those who are experiencing psychological distress related to COVID-19 |
Carlin et al., 2021 [31] |  − Consideration of mental health and psychological well-being when establishing lockdown policies |
Choudhury, 2020 [23] |  − Develop strategies and implement appropriate and timely interventions to eliminate the contributing predisposing factors to suicide  − Implementation of community-based gatekeeper training programmes for early identification of suicidal ideations  − Improvement of mental health awareness of individuals by the government along with the help of various NGOs  − Strengthening of suicide screening services in the health care sector |
Daly et al., 2021 [33] |  − Implementation of evidenced based strategies to minimize the risk of mental health deterioration associated with COVID-19 quarantine |
Holland et al., 2021 [35] |  − Provision of counselling for those who are presented to emergency departments with risk of suicide/suicide attempts  − Make linkage with existing behavioural health and social support services to provide immediate support for those who are in crisis  − Conversion of existing in-person services health and social service to virtual means  − Implementation of mass media campaigns that emphasize resilience, help-seeking, and available resources  − Provision of economic supports to minimize financial stress, changes in payment policies  − Regulatory changes to support telehealth  − Promoting social connectedness |
Nomura et al., 2021 [27] |  − Implementation of immediate measures to mitigate the negative economic impact of COVID-19 on women  − Strengthening virtual linkages for social support and mental health care delivery utilizing virtual platforms like video calls, telephones and social media  − Regulation for media reporting to ensure the avoidance of fear and hopelessness among people |
Radeloff et al., 2021 [28] |  − Careful monitoring of the suicidal rate as the COVID-19 crisis progresses in order to establish an evidence base prevention approaches |
Sengupta et al., 2020 [37] |  − Increase public awareness on how to deal with pressure and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis  − Implementation of targeted mental health surveillance of population at risk (e.g. patients with prior mental health diagnosis and older adults)  − Provision of financial grants for food and unemployment support by the government  − Refrain from irresponsible media reporting of suicide and highlight the precise facts about the causes and circumstances of suicide with due consideration to mental health problems  − Establishment of policies/regulations for media reporting regarding reporting of such suicidal deaths |
Isumi et al., 2021 [25] |  − Close monitoring of suicide rates in children as the COVID-19 crisis in order to implement preventive measures, particularly after the reopening of schools |