Damian Sendler: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States is experiencing a mental health catastrophe, which experts believe will continue to worsen for years to come. 

Dr. Sendler: As a result of COVID-19, thousands of Americans lost their loved ones, their careers, and their health, according to numerous sources. Anxiety, sadness, and substance use problems were also on the rise. A government investigation, however, found that suicide mortality actually dropped throughout this era, despite the increase in these mental health conditions. 

Damian Jacob Sendler: According to a study conducted by specialists at the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the overall number of suicides in 2020 was 3 percent fewer than in 2019. In 2020, male suicide rates were 2 percent lower than in 1999, while female suicide rates were 8 percent lower than in 1999. 

Damien Sendler: According to the study’s primary author, Sally Curtin, a health statistician at the National Center for Health Statistics, “Suicide is complicated and diverse, and simply increasing risk variables does not translate into an increase in suicide deaths.” “The findings demonstrate the difficulty of committing suicide.” 

According to mental health professionals, the findings are a continuation of the previous year’s decrease. After increasing significantly from 2003 to 2018, the number of yearly suicide fatalities began to decline between 2018 and 2019. The number of suicide deaths decreased by 2 percent between 2018 and 2019. 

Damian Jacob Sendler: Suicide deaths among individuals of color, on the other hand, have climbed, according to the report. The suicide rate among Hispanic males climbed by 5% between 2019 and 2020, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Black men and American Indian or Alaska Native men were also found to have a higher rate of obesity, although the data were not statistically significant, according to the researchers. 

Dr. Melissa Shepard, a board certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, claimed that individuals of color were disproportionately affected across the board by the pandemic. They had a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, a higher risk of losing a loved one to the disease, and a higher risk of losing their jobs. 

Damian Sendler: In recent years, there has been a significant drive to raise awareness about suicide, as well as how to prevent suicide and recognize the indicators, according to her. “We’re doing a good job with some populations, but we’re not doing so well with others… We are not reaching (people of color) with our advocacy efforts, no matter what we are doing.” 

Suicide rates varied according to age group as well. Despite the fact that suicide rates among men have decreased by 2 percent overall, rates have climbed by 13 percent among those aged 10 to 14, and by 5 percent among those aged 25 to 34. Women between the ages of 15 and 24 had a 4 percent greater prevalence than men, although the authors highlighted that this did not achieve statistical significance. 

‘An excellent course correction’: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has added mental health issues to the list of diseases associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19. The reason behind this is as follows. 

Damian Jacob Sendler: In the months of March through October and December, the number of suicide deaths was fewer in 2020 than it was in 2019, but it was higher in January, February, and November in 2020. Experts predicted that the month of July would have the highest number of suicide deaths in 2020. 

“Typically, what happens is that the biggest number of suicides occur during the summer months and the lowest number occur throughout the late fall and winter months,” Curtin explained. 

However, because suicide fatalities are difficult to precisely record, experts say the provisional numbers in the study may be positive, but they will hold off until they see the whole data. 

Damian Sendler: According to Shepard, many suicide deaths are misinterpreted, and a variety of circumstances, including economic stability, as well as mental health, play a role in the decision to commit suicide. 

“We frequently think of depression as a continuum that culminates in suicide, but it’s a pretty basic way of looking at it. “At the end of the day, suicide is a potential behavioral manifestation of many things,” she explained. In order to have thoughts of suicide, you don’t absolutely need to be depressed, according to the author. 

Dr. Vivian Pender, president of the American Psychiatric Association and clinical professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, said the mental health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, and the report shows that more needs to be done to reach vulnerable communities that have few or no safety nets. 

“The bottom conclusion is that people are still scared and unhappy, and they are now exhausted…. According to Pender, “I don’t see the mental health situation going better any time soon.” “The more alert we are about mental health, and the more we advocate for resources at all levels of care, the better off we will be,” says the author.

News reported to you by Dr. Damian Jacob Sendler