
While the number of suicide deaths in the US is lower than the deaths caused by COVID-19, the pandemic has caused a spike in suicide rates.
As of Oct 11, CDC data shows that 213,037 people have died in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although the suicide death toll is significantly lower than the deaths caused by the coronavirus, the pandemic has aggravated mental health problems in many sections of the population. Experts have warned that the number of suicides may witness a spike due to pandemic-induced anxieties. A report published in the Journal of American Medicine observed that secondary consequences of social distancing might increase the risk of suicide. Economic stress, social isolation, decreased access to community and religious support, barriers to mental health treatment, illness, and medical problems are the risk factors that can cause suicide rates to peak. American Foundation of Suicide Prevention estimated that, on average, 132 Americans died by suicide each day, and 1.4 million Americans attempted suicide in 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.
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