Conference paper
SUICIDALITY AND COVID-19: DATA FROM AN EMERGENCY SETTING IN ITALY
Giulia Menculini
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Patrizia Moretti
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Luigi Maria Pandolfi
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Sara Bianchi
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Eleonora Valentini
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Mattia Gatto
; School of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Kety Amantini
; Department of Mental Health, AUSL Umbria 1, Perugia, Italy
Alfonso Tortorella
; Department of Psychiatry, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
Abstract
Background: Suicidality is a widespread phenomenon with a dramatic burden worldwide. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-
19) pandemic determined a relevant impact on mental health, due to the infection itself and its socio-economic consequences. The
present study is aimed at analyzing the prevalence of suicidality during the Covid-19 pandemic among subjects requiring a
psychiatric consultation in an emergency setting.
Subjects and methods: Socio-demographic and clinical information was collected at the emergency department of the General
Hospital of Perugia from June 1st, 2020 to January 31st, 2021. Data was entered into an electronic datasheet and retrospectively
analysed. was performed in order to assess significant associations between suicide-related
variables and specific socio-demographic and clinical features (p<0.05).
Results: Among 447 subjects included in the analysis, 109 (24.4%) showed suicidality-related phenomena, particularly suicide
attempts (SA) (n=44, 9.8%), suicidal ideation (SI) (n=41, 9.2%), non suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (n=31, 6.9%), that in some cases cooccurred.
A statistically significant association was detected between NSSI and living with marital family (p=0.024) and between
suicidality-related phenomena and adjustment disorders (p=0.018). None of the examined subjects reported a previous positivity for
Covid-19 and neither did their relatives.
Conclusions: The present study confirms the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on suicide-related phenomena. Consultation
psychiatry fulfills a key role in the early detection and clinical management of these conditions, that require targeted intervention
strategies.
Keywords
pandemic; COVID-19; suicidality; suicidal behavior; suicidal ideation; non suicidal self-injury
Hrčak ID:
274193
URI
Publication date:
16.9.2021.
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