Suicide More Likely During COVID - A Crying Call For Empathy
News Peg
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to prevail as cases in states that have tried opening up see spikes in new cases.
Texas saw a third straight day of record-breaking numbers with 2,287 in reported cases on Sunday, June 14.
As the state approached its Phase 3 of reopening, it saw a spike in cases over the last week and hospitals scramble to accommodate.
Florida faced a weekend spike of more than 1700 new cases, as it tried opening up as well. Arizona also saw an increase in 1300 new cases over the weekend, and also a rise of nearly a 1,000 more cases in early June.
The Sun Belt states face the risks, and as other states open up, the risk could be the same for them. Scientists and medical experts warn Americans that the second wave of the pandemic could be underway, and potentially worse than the first.
Along with the risk of more people suffering from the virus, another danger also looms - the rising suicide rate.
Suicide Cases Rise in Pandemic
Different regions across the country and professions specifically have seen a surge in suicide cases, during the pandemic. Whether it be induced by COVID-19 or not, the surge of suicide cases in places like Colorado, California and New York City during the pandemic calls for attention and analysis.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the suicide rate amongst Americans increased by 35% from 1999 to 2019.
Medical professionals in the Joh Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, CA, have seen an increase in deaths from suicide cases during the pandemic period.
"We've never seen numbers like this, in such a short period of time," Dr. Mike deBoisblanc told ABC News. "I think, originally, this (the shelter-in-place order) was put in place to flatten the curve and to make sure hospitals have the resources to take care of COVID patients.We have the current resources to do that and our other community health is suffering."
A trauma nurse at the same medical center for more than 30 years, Kacy Hansen, told ABC News. “What I have seen recently, I have never seen before. I have never seen so much intentional injury.”
Colorado, a state with one of the most suicide cases in America, has also seen a spike in cases. Doctors like Emmy Betz, from the University of Colorado Hospital, attributes the high suicide rate to the easily available firearms and the inability for people to travel to leave the house.
Some medical and government professionals have also resorted to suicide. Cases like Dr. Lorna Breen, a 49-year-old emergency room doctor in New York City, died from suicide in April. Working in the trenches of 18-hour days in emergency rooms, Breen contracted the virus herself. Staying in isolation and deeply disturbed by the deaths and suffering of patients, Breen injured herself and died in the hospital.
German state financier, Thomas Schafer, killed himself due to an economic disaster he had to face. 34-year-old, Daniella Trezzi, a nurse from Italy, killed herself fearing she would spread the virus after she tested positive.
Researchers from the Lancet Psychiatry urge the prevention of the rising suicide rates during the pandemic."The pandemic will cause distress and leave many people vulnerable to mental health problems and suicidal behaviour."
Economic disasters usually correlate with rising suicide rates as well. Thus, even more caution is needed.
What it Means
The incidents and statistics show us the reality of life today.
Sushant Singh Rajput, a 34-year-old star actor in the Hindi film industry, died from suicide on June 14, 2020. His death was a shocker for not only the film industry but India as a whole.
In the third-party perspective, Rajput was a self-made actor, who had achieved his dream, experienced stardom with thousands of fans, and seemed like a happy man.
But, what struggles the individuals who kill themselves, like Singh, face are not up for display. What convinces them to kill themselves is unfortunately an inner process not a public one.
To empathize and understand another’s situation and battles are difficult but possible, and rare but also the signs of true selflessness.
The pandemic is certainly a difficult time, but it has a silver lining that we can also consider -
While suicide cases are rising, the ability for us to be there for each other is easier. While individuals may feel locked, alone, and unheard, the truth is - the struggle is almost the same for all. The economic depression, the health crisis, and dangers of interaction are all understandable and relatable.
Thus, empathy should not be a far-fetched endeavor for us anymore.