COVID and Suicide

• Substance abuse has increased during the pandemic, as US sales of alcohol increased by 55% in a week in March as compared to last year. A general worsening of mental health symptoms pervails the global population. 35% of Chinese nationals and 45% of American adults self-reported a worsening of mental health status.
• Social isolation influences mental wellbeing.
• The US Dept of Veterans’ Affairs links loneliness with rates of veteran suicide.
• Hypochondriac-type suicide has increased in isolated people who think they are infected with COVID, even when these people were not infected.