Suicide is an extreme consequence of the psychological burden of COVID-19.
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We estimated the burden of suicide death related to COVID-19 in Japan.
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Our study found excess suicide deaths among women in July, August and September.
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COVID-19 related suicide prevention is an important priority, especially for women.
Abstract
Suicide is an extreme consequence of the psychological burden associated with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) counter-measures. A quasi-Poisson regression was applied to monthly suicide mortality data obtained from the National Police Agency to estimate the gender-specific excess/exiguous suicide deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan up to September 2020. We found excess suicide deaths among women in July, August and September, but not among men. Our results indicate the importance of COVID-19 related suicide prevention, especially for women. Timely access to mental health care and financial and social support is urgently needed, as is optimal treatment for mental illness.