The increase in suicide risk in older adults in Taiwan during the COVID-19 outbreak

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 327; pp. 391 - 396
• Main Authors: Chen, Ying-Yeh, Yang, Chi-Ting, Yip, Paul S.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 14.04.2023; Published by Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; COVID-19; Disease Outbreaks; Humans; Middle Aged; Older adults; Pandemic; Pandemics; Research Paper; Suicide; Taiwan; Taiwan; COVID-19; Pandemic; Suicide; Older adults; Taiwan
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.006

Studies from Western countries indicated that older adults were more resilient than younger ones to deteriorating mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. As high late-life suicide rates have been reported in East Asia, it is possible that the pandemic impact might differ between East and West. We investigated the pandemic impact on age-specific suicide patterns in Taiwan. Interrupted time-series analysis was used to model the overall, and age-stratified, monthly suicide rates before (January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2019) and after (January 1st 2020 to December 31st 2021) the COVID-19 outbreak. Associations between confirmed COVID-19 deaths and suicide rates were also assessed. There was a significant decrease in overall suicide rates after the COVID-19 outbreak (p < 0.01) (annual average rates per 100,000 population of 16.4 prior, 15.2 after). The overall decrease was driven by fewer suicide deaths in the young- and older-middle-aged groups (25–44 and 45–64 years). However suicide rates in younger-age group (<25 years) were already increasing pre-pandemic, a trend which continued after the outbreak. Suicide rates for older people (≥65 years) also increased along with the increasing number of COVID-19 deaths during the pandemic period. Under-reporting and/or misclassification of suicides were possible. The overall suicide rates in Taiwan did not change after the COVID-19 outbreak; however, suicide in older adults increased. Public health measures to reduce COVID-19 infections may have unintended and adverse consequences on the psychological wellbeing of older citizens. •Although the overall suicide rates decreased, suicide in older-adults in Taiwan increased after the COVID-19 outbreak.•The increase in suicide rates in older-adults was significantly associated with the number of COVID-19 deaths.•Our findings were at odds with reports from many Western countries, where mental health resilience in older adults was found.