Is social distancing during coronavirus causing more suicides?

May 30, 2020

In early March, as Europe found itself facing rising coronavirus infections and realized that the ties that form society were about to be reduced to only the most necessary of interactions, mental health professionals warned that the consequences could be deadly.

The combination of enforced isolation, increased anxiety, financial worries, and reduced access to therapy could leave those suffering alone at risk, they warned. Many experts feared this could even lead to a rise in the suicide rate in Germany.

Some anecdotal evidence appeared to back this up. At the end of April, the German fire brigade union told Business Insider that emergency responders were dealing with more suicides and finding suicide notes mentioning fears of a coronavirus infection — though it admitted that it did not keep official figures.

But now preliminary official statistics for Germany actually show a reduction in suicides during the coronavirus outbreak. Between 9,000 and 10,000 people commit suicide in Germany every year, though the numbers have almost halved since 1980.

Read more: Coronavirus and mental health — we are not made for isolation

Seeking help online?

In early May, the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper conducted a survey of the seven German states that update suicide statistics frequently and found that the suicide rate had actually dropped by 20% since lockdown measures began compared to the same period last year.

It’s hard to explain that in the absence of empirical research, said Thomas Voigt, deputy chairman of the Deutsche Depressionsliga (“German Depression League”), which provides remote and online help for people with depression.

“But I can say that since the coronavirus crisis, the demand [for online mental help services] has dropped significantly,” he told DW. “It is a paradox.”

But the low demand for online help doesn’t mean people haven’t been struggling in isolation, he added. “One explanation could be that you have to be active, in a certain way, to ask for help,” he said. “And because there are many extra difficulties now people are so overburdened that they don’t even manage that.”

Remote online therapy also may not be a solution for some, he says. “Of course it’s difficult to maintain therapy because of the distancing regulations,” Voigt said. “People with depression often need human contact. They don’t want to sit in front of a machine.”

In a statement written as the pandemic began, Ulrich Hegerl, chairman of the German foundation Deutsche Depressionshilfe (DDH), was careful to distinguish between a general increase in anxiety felt in a particular situation and depression.

“Suicides … are caused in 90% of cases by a negatively distorted view of the world brought about by depression and other psychiatric illnesses,” he wrote. “Depression, by far the most frequent cause of suicides, is an independent illness, and not a reaction to difficult circumstances.”

Hegerl warned that due to social distancing there may be less chance that friends or relatives recognize when someone is in a suicidal crisis and can organize professional help.

“It’s certainly true that the support situation has worsened, and fewer people are coming to therapy, out of exaggerated fears, or because they think the medical services don’t want them because they’re only treating coronavirus patients. Many people with depression tend to have guilt feelings,” Hegerl told DW. “For me, there aren’t enough numbers yet to say anything definite about the suicide rate.”

Read more: Coronavirus destroys the lives of stroke survivors

Anxieties and fears exacerbated

While those who already suffer from depression may not have been seeking any more help than normal, there seems to be little doubt that the pandemic has had a general impact on mental health. Several surveys around the world have shown this.

In the US, for example, the Kaiser Family Foundation found in late March that 45% of adults believed the pandemic had affected their mental health, and 19% said it had had a “major impact.” Meanwhile, the US Disaster Distress Helplines saw calls from February to March increase by over 300%.

In Germany, 3,545 people volunteered for a survey by the Hannover Medical School (MHH) that focused on the first two weeks of April, when Germany’s lockdown measures were at their most drastic. The survey found that 50.9% said they had become more irritable and 29% found themselves angrier and more aggressive.

A survey published in early May by the Danube University Krems in Austria found even more alarming numbers: The proportion of Austrians with “depressive symptoms” had risen from around 4% to over 20%, while those with “fear symptoms” had gone up from around 5% to 19%.

Professor for Psychosomatic Medicine Christoph Pieh, who co-wrote the Krems study, believes the risk of suicide has increased in Austria, despite the preliminary figures in neighboring Germany. Pieh is also skeptical because there are always a high number of unknown suicides. “There has definitely been a rise in depressive syndromes in Austria,” Pieh told DW.

The danger of a downturn

Hauke Wiegand, doctor of psychiatry and psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Mainz, also warned that all the surveys and figures coming out now only show snapshot insights of a short period of time. Still, he has also noticed a decrease in the number of patients with severe depression and anxiety coming to his clinic during the pandemic, while the number of people suffering from schizophrenia, for example, has remained roughly the same.

But Wiegand had another point: History shows suicide rates always go up during economic depressions — with the main risk factors being “unemployment and financial distress,” and it is too early to tell whether this is happening now. Following the 2008 financial crisis, he said, “in the US every one percent increase in the unemployment rate was accompanied by a one percent increase in the suicide rate.”

“We saw the same in Greece following the austerity measures,” Wiegand added, though he pointed out this did not happen in countries with a stronger welfare state, “which cushioned the worst.”

Statistics also back this up: One 2014 study by Portsmouth Universityin the UK found that every 1% in spending cuts in Greece was coupled with a 0.43% rise in suicides among men.

Meanwhile, Wiegand has also noticed a countereffect. He is working on an as yet unpublished survey by the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research Mainz. Its preliminary results show that many people are actually feeling less stressed under lockdown measures.

“They have reduced work times, they might not have to commute to work, they have more time with their families, which reduces overall stress levels — as long as their jobs are secure,” he said.

If you are suffering from serious emotional strain or suicidal thoughts, do not hesitate to seek professional help. You can find information on where to find such help, no matter where you live in the world, at this website:https://www.befrienders.org/

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Go for a walk — if you’re allowed to

Spending time in green spaces can reduce stress and help us feel happier and healthier. If exercising outdoors is still an option where you live, as it is in Germany, make the most of it by going for a daily walk in a nearby park or nature reserve. Just avoid busy areas, keep a safe distance from others and wash your hands as soon as you get home.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Outdoor soundtrack

If walking in the woods isn’t possible, there are still ways to enjoy nature at home. Research suggests that looking at greenery out a window, or even listening to sounds from nature, can boost our well-being. Scientists from Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK found birdsong, wind in the trees, or a burbling brook — sounds readily available to stream online — help us relax as well.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Virtual visit

Many national parks are closed to the public, and travel is off the cards, but thanks to technology it’s possible to observe wildlife without leaving the house. Many nature reserves and animal sanctuaries have webcams you can livestream online, making it possible to “visit” a range of spots, from a gorilla corridor in the DRC, to an elephant park in South Africa and a bald eagle nest in the US.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Under the sea

Zoos and aquariums are also offering livestreams of their enclosures, like this Jellyfish Cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on the US west coast. Studies show that watching fish tanks, even for a short period, can have a soothing effect, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Birdwatching at home

Start paying attention to the wildlife around you. Perhaps there’s a bumble bee buzzing among the flowers on your balcony, or a robin that frequents the fence outside. An initiative in the UK is encouraging people to start their day by sharing bird photos snapped from their homes under the hashtag #BreakfastBirdwatch on social media. A similar campaign, #BirdingatHome, has taken off in Australia.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Make a bird feeder

Apart from a DIY project that will keep housebound kids busy for a while, a bird feeder might also attract feathered friends to your property. All you need are some bird seeds, cooking fat and a pine cone or coconut shell. And don’t stress if you don’t have a garden — you can also hang the feeder up with a piece of string outside a window or from a balcony.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

A home for insects

Another way you can support local biodiversity is by providing shelter for insects. Again, you don’t necessarily need a garden. You can make the structure as big or small as you like, depending on whether it’s for a yard, patio or tiny balcony. Old wooden pallets, bricks, dry leaves, straw and other natural materials will help you get started.

Coronavirus: 8 ways to connect with nature during lockdown

Get gardening

Gardening can ward off anxiety and boost our mood, so why not use your time in lockdown to plant some veggies or bright flowers? Lavender, thyme, sage and other insect-friendly plants could also attract pollinators like butterflies and bees. Even if you don’t have a backyard, you can still grow plants indoors. Check out options for home delivery from garden centers.

Author: Natalie Muller