Suicide rates declined in parts of U.S., world early in pandemic, study finds – By Brian P. Dunleavy (UPI) / April 13 2021
April 13 (UPI) — Suicide rates in regions of the United States and the world remained flat or even declined during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published Tuesday by The Lancet Psychiatry.
Through the end of July 2020, up to 20% fewer suicides were reported in parts of the southern and western United States compared with what would have been expected based on prior years, the data showed.
Rates of suicide declined by up to 50% in Germany and by around 25% in several countries in Latin America, even as COVID-19 cases and deaths there soared, the researchers said.
Still, the figures provide only a “snapshot” of suicide rates in these countries and the effects of the pandemic could be felt in the months and years to come, they said.
