The ‘International Covid-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration’, which has been informed by 42 researchers from across the globe, has been created to monitor the potential impact that the coronavirus crisis has had on our mental health. Tara Pilkington reports.
Due to the stress and uncertainty caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, those who are currently living with psychiatric disorders are likely to be experiencing worsening symptoms, while those who have recently seen a loss of employment and added financial worries may find themselves developing new mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
Writing in the Lancet Psychiatry, researchers who contributed to the ‘International Covid-19 Suicide Prevention Research Collaboration’ have said that an increase in suicides as a result of the pandemic can be prevented as long as the appropriate preventive action is taken imminently.
They added that;
“Suicide is likely to become a more pressing concern as the pandemic spreads and has longer-term effects on the general population, the economy and vulnerable groups.
“Preventing suicide, therefore, needs urgent consideration. The response must capitalise on, but extend beyond general mental health policies and practices.”
The Duke of Cambridge has recently backed an initiative to provide additional mental health support to key workers who are currently on the frontlines working against coronavirus.
Initiatives and charities such as Mind, Samaritans, Shout, Hospice UK and the Royal Foundation have recently launched Our Frontline, a combination of support and online resources for NHS workers, carers, emergency services and key workers.
For support on managing your mental health during Covid-19, please contact one of the helplines below:
- Anxiety UK: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
- Bipolar UK: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
- CALM: www.thecalmzone.net
- Men’s Health Forum: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
- Mental Health Foundation: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
- Mind: www.mind.org.uk
- No Panic: www.nopanic.org.uk
- OCD Action: www.ocdaction.org.uk
- PAPYRUS: www.papyrus-uk.org
- Rethink Mental Illness: www.rethink.org
- Samaritans: www.samaritans.org.uk
- SANE: www.sane.org.uk/textcare, www.sane.org.uk/support
- YoungMinds: www.youngminds.org.uk
