Suicide numbers during the first 9-15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-existing trends: An interrupted time series analysis in 33 countries.

Background: Predicted increases in suicide were not generally observed in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the picture may be changing and patterns might vary across demographic groups. We aimed to provide a timely, granular picture of the pandemic's impact on suicides globally. Methods: We identified suicide data from official public-sector sources for countries/areas-within-countries, searching websites and academic literature and contacting data custodians and authors as necessary. We sent our first data request on 22nd June 2021 and stopped collecting data on 31st October 2021. We used interrupted time series (ITS) analyses to model the association between the pandemic's emergence and total suicides and suicides by sex-, age- and sex-by-age in each country/area-within-country. We compared the observed and expected numbers of suicides in the pandemic's first nine and first 10-15 months and used meta-regression to explore sources of variation. Findings: We sourced data from 33 countries (24 high-income, six upper-middle-income, three lower-middle-income; 25 with whole-country data, 12 with data for area(s)-within-the-country, four with both). There was no evidence of greater-than-expected numbers of suicides in the majority of countries/areas-within-countries in any analysis; more commonly, there was evidence of lower-than-expected numbers. Certain sex, age and sex-by-age groups stood out as potentially concerning, but these were not consistent across countries/areas-within-countries. In the meta-regression, different patterns were not explained by countries' COVID-19 mortality rate, stringency of public health response, economic support level, or presence of a national suicide prevention strategy. Nor were they explained by countries' income level, although the meta-regression only included data from high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and there were suggestions from the ITS analyses that lower-middle-income countries fared less well. Interpretation: Although there are some countries/areas-within-countries where overall suicide numbers and numbers for certain sex- and age-based groups are greater-than-expected, these countries/areas-within-countries are in the minority. Any upward movement in suicide numbers in any place or group is concerning, and we need to remain alert to and respond to changes as the pandemic and its mental health and economic consequences continue. Funding: None.

Police-reported suicides during the first 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ecuador: A time-series analysis of trends and risk factors until June 2021.

Background: There are widespread concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic may increase suicides. Few studies have analysed effects beyond the pandemic's early months or examined changes in known suicide risk factors. Methods: Using time series models fit with Poisson regression, we analysed monthly police-reported suicides in Ecuador from January 2015 to June 2021. Treating March 2020 as the start of the pandemic, we calculated rate ratios (RRs) comparing the observed to the expected number of suicides for the total population and by age and sex groups. We investigated changes in risk factors, precipitants, geographic distribution, and suicide methods. Findings: There was no evidence that suicide rates were higher than expected during the pandemic (RR 0·97 [95% CI 0·92-1·02]). There was some evidence of fewer than expected male suicides (RR 0·95 [95% CI 0·90-1·00]). The proportion of suicides occurring in urban and coastal areas increased but decreased amongst indigenous and other minorities. The proportions of suicides with evidence of alcohol consumption, disability, and amongst married and cohabiting individuals decreased, whereas suicides where mental health problems were considered contributory increased. There were relative increases in the proportion of suicides by hanging but decreases in self-poisoning and other suicide methods. Interpretation: The pandemic did not appear to adversely impact overall suicide numbers nationwide during the first 16 months of the pandemic. Reduced alcohol consumption may have contributed to the decline in male suicides. Funding: None.

Sociodemographic Analysis of Suicide Rates Among Older Adults Living in Ecuador: 1997-2019.

Background: Despite most suicides occurring in low-and-middle-income countries (LAMICs), limited reports on suicide rates in older adults among LAMICs are available. In Ecuador, high suicide rates have been reported among adolescents. Little is known about the epidemiology of suicides among older adults in Ecuador. Aim: To examine the sociodemographic characteristics of suicides among older adults living in Ecuador from 1997 to 2019. Methods: An observational study was conducted using Ecuador's National Institute of Census and Statistics database from 1997 to 2019 in Ecuadorians aged 60 and older. International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) (X60-X84)-reported suicide deaths were included in addition to deaths of events of undetermined intent (Y21-Y33). Sex, age, ethnicity, educational level, and method of suicide were analyzed. Annual suicide rates were calculated per 100,000 by age, sex, and method. To examine the trends in rates of suicide, Joinpoint analysis using Poisson log-linear regression was used. Results: Suicide rates of female older adults remained relatively stable between 1997 and 2019 with an average annual percentage increase of 2.4%, while the male rates increased between 2002 and 2009, 2014 and 2016, and maintained relatively stable within the past 3 years (2017-2019). The annual age-adjusted male suicide rate was 29.8 per 100,000, while the female suicide rate was 5.26 per 100,000 during the study period. When adding deaths of undetermined intent, the annual male rate was 60.5 per 100,000, while the same rate was 14.3 for women. The most common suicide method was hanging (55.7%) followed by self-poisoning (26.0%). The highest suicide numbers were reported in urban districts, men, and those with lower education status. Conclusion: This study contributes to building the baseline for further studies on suicide rates of older adults in Ecuador. Results highlight priority areas of suicide prevention. By examining suicide trends over 23 years, findings can help inform policy and future interventions targeting suicide prevention.

Suicide trends in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic: an interrupted time-series analysis of preliminary data from 21 countries.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound mental health consequences for many people. Concerns have been expressed that, at their most extreme, these consequences could manifest as increased suicide rates. We aimed to assess the early effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates around the world. METHODS: We sourced real-time suicide data from countries or areas within countries through a systematic internet search and recourse to our networks and the published literature. Between Sept 1 and Nov 1, 2020, we searched the official websites of these countries' ministries of health, police agencies, and government-run statistics agencies or equivalents, using the translated search terms "suicide" and "cause of death", before broadening the search in an attempt to identify data through other public sources. Data were included from a given country or area if they came from an official government source and were available at a monthly level from at least Jan 1, 2019, to July 31, 2020. Our internet searches were restricted to countries with more than 3 million residents for pragmatic reasons, but we relaxed this rule for countries identified through the literature and our networks. Areas within countries could also be included with populations of less than 3 million. We used an interrupted time-series analysis to model the trend in monthly suicides before COVID-19 (from at least Jan 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020) in each country or area within a country, comparing the expected number of suicides derived from the model with the observed number of suicides in the early months of the pandemic (from April 1 to July 31, 2020, in the primary analysis). FINDINGS: We sourced data from 21 countries (16 high-income and five upper-middle-income countries), including whole-country data in ten countries and data for various areas in 11 countries). Rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs based on the observed versus expected numbers of suicides showed no evidence of a significant increase in risk of suicide since the pandemic began in any country or area. There was statistical evidence of a decrease in suicide compared with the expected number in 12 countries or areas: New South Wales, Australia (RR 0·81 [95% CI 0·72-0·91]); Alberta, Canada (0·80 [0·68-0·93]); British Columbia, Canada (0·76 [0·66-0·87]); Chile (0·85 [0·78-0·94]); Leipzig, Germany (0·49 [0·32-0·74]); Japan (0·94 [0·91-0·96]); New Zealand (0·79 [0·68-0·91]); South Korea (0·94 [0·92-0·97]); California, USA (0·90 [0·85-0·95]); Illinois (Cook County), USA (0·79 [0·67-0·93]); Texas (four counties), USA (0·82 [0·68-0·98]); and Ecuador (0·74 [0·67-0·82]). INTERPRETATION: This is the first study to examine suicides occurring in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in multiple countries. In high-income and upper-middle-income countries, suicide numbers have remained largely unchanged or declined in the early months of the pandemic compared with the expected levels based on the pre-pandemic period. We need to remain vigilant and be poised to respond if the situation changes as the longer-term mental health and economic effects of the pandemic unfold. FUNDING: None.

Behavioral and sociodemographic predictors of anxiety and depression in patients under epidemiological surveillance for COVID-19 in Ecuador.

Ecuador has been one of the most affected countries by the Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, by April 2020 this country presented the highest rates of mortality in Latin America. The purpose of the present study was to identify behaviors during confinement and sociodemographic variables associated with the mental health status of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients who were part of the epidemiological surveillance program in Ecuador that included mandatory confinement and self-isolation. A cross-sectional study was performed from March 22th to April 18th, 2020 using an online survey. The survey collected socio-demographic information and severity of depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and anxiety symptoms through the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. A total of 759 patients completed the questionnaire, 20.3% presented moderate to severe symptoms of depression and 22.5% moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. Being a woman and from the Coastal region were risk factors. Exercising, maintaining daily routines, and keeping informed about the COVID-19 but limiting to an hour was associated with better mental health. Regression analysis indicated that the mentioned behaviors explained approximately 17% of the variance for depression sum scores and 11.8% of the variance for anxiety sum scores while controlling for gender and region. Understanding the association between sociodemographic variables and psychological states in patients with COVID-19 is relevant to tackle future public mental health problems and to implement health policies that are intended to palliate further psychiatric complications. Promotion of modifiable behaviors such as exercising, maintaining daily routines, and keeping informed about the COVID-19 but limiting to less than an hour is recommended.

Earthquake-related stressors associated with suicidality, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress in adolescents from Muisne after the earthquake 2016 in Ecuador.

BACKGROUND: The Ecuadorian earthquake in April 16th was the second strongest and deadliest in 2016 worldwide, with approximately one million people affected. In this paper, we analyzed the psychological impact and the relationship between mental health events and various earthquake-related stressors related to the earthquake, 9 months after the event. METHODS: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, applying an anonymous survey to 316 adolescents (13-19 years old) from Muisne, Ecuador. Suicidal tendency, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress (PTSD) were evaluated via the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS), Spence Children's Anxiety Scale, Okasha Suicidality Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the adapted seven-questions earthquake-related stressors survey. RESULTS: We found a high prevalence of suicidal ideations and behavior, posttraumatic stress, depression and anxiety compared to international studies. Even though adolescents currently living in shelters had higher levels of anxiety, their suicidal tendency was significantly lower than those living in their own or their relatives' home. Finally, the earthquake-related stressors were not associated with suicidality and mental health events, with the exception of economic damage suffered by the family. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety among high-school students were found, especially among those who have suffered serious economic damage. The economic impact in their families and high unemployment rates among their parents seems to be related to lack of hope and favorable perspectives for their future, situation that might lead to lead to emotional disturbances and psychological disorders. Although prolonged homelessness experience in shelters may be a stressful occurrence, might also be related with spiritual growth among adolescents, and may work as a protective factor against suicidal ideations and attempts.

Análisis de tendencias temporales del suicidio en niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes en Ecuador entre 1990 y 2017 / Trend analysis of suicide among children, adolescent and young adults in Ecuador between 1990 and 2017

Fundamento. Analizar las tendencias temporales de las tasas de suicidio en niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes ecuatorianos, según sexo, y describir la evolución de las razones hombre/mujer entre 1990 y 2017. Método. Se emplearon los datos de población y defunciones generales del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos de Ecuador para calcular las tasas de suicidio para cada grupo de edad (10-14, 15-19, 20-24 años) y sexo por año. Para estimar las tendencias temporales y los cambios porcentuales anuales (CPA) por edad y sexo se utilizó el Joinpoint Regression Program 4.6.0.2. Resultados. En Ecuador hubo un promedio de 313 suicidios anuales entre 1990 y 2017, con un incremento del 480% en niños, del 322% en niñas, del 111% en adolescentes varones y del 57% en adultos jóvenes, mientras que en las mujeres adolescentes y adultas jóvenes se redujo un 19 y un 37%. Las tasas de suicidio aumentaron anualmente en niños (CPA=5,10%), niñas (2,57%), adolescentes (3,07%) y adultos jóvenes (10,42%) mientras que, trasun máximo alrededor de 2006, disminuyeron para las adolescentes (0,81%, no significativo) y mujeres jóvenes (1,16%). Aunque hasta comienzos de siglo las mujeres adolescentes y jóvenes tuvieron mayores tasas de suicidio, actualmente son más altas para los hombres en todos los grupos de edad (entre 1,5:1 y 4,3:1 en 2017). Conclusiones. El suicidio en población menor de 25 años en Ecuador es un problema destacado de salud pública, y se ha incrementado entre 1990 y 2017, especialmente, entre niños, niñas, y adolescentes y jóvenes de sexo masculino. La estrategia intersectorial propuesta en 2018 para reducir el suicido queda pendiente de evaluación e inferencia

Background. Analyze the long-term sex specific trends in suicide rates for Ecuadorian children, adolescents and young people, as well as to describe the evolution of the male/female ratio between 1990 and 2017. Method. Population and mortality data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses of Ecuador. Suicide rates were calculated for each year, age group (10-14, 15-19, 20-24 years) and sex. We used the Joinpoint Regression Program 4.6.0.2 to analyze temporal trends and report annual percent change (APC) by each age group and sex. Results. An average of 313 suicides per year happened in Ecuador between 1990 and 2017, with increases of 480% in young boys and 322 % in girls aged between 10-14, 111% in male adolescents and 57% in young adults, while there was a decrease in adolescent girls (19%) and young adults (37%). The suicide rate increased annually among boys (APC = 5.10%) and girls (2.57%), as well as for male adolescents (3.07%) and young adults (10.42%), while for female adolescents (0.81%, not significant) and young women (1.16%) the trend decreased after reaching a peak around 2006. While up until the beginning of the XXI century young females aged between 10 and 19 years had higher suicide rates, during the last decade men had higher rates across all age groups (between 1.5:1 and 4.3:1 in 2017). Conclusions. Suicide in the population under 25 years in Ecuador is a major public health issue and increased between 1990 and 2017, particularly among children, and males between 15-24 years. The intersectorial strategy proposed in 2018 in order to reduce suicide is pending further evaluation and interpretation

Crisis of Meaning Predicts Suicidality in Youth Independently of Depression.

BACKGROUND: At times, the question for meaning comes to nothing and a crisis of meaning ensues. This state is very painful, but difficult to account. Both those who suffer from it and care professionals find themselves at a loss for words. AIMS: This study introduces an operationalization of a crisis of meaning. It aims to distinguish the concept from depression, and to investigate whether a crisis of meaning can explain suicidality beyond the known protective and risk factors self-esteem, family functioning, life-event load, and depression. METHOD: Final-year school pupils in Ecuador (N = 300) completed questionnaires assessing the above variables. Data were analyzed using chi-square, hierarchic multiple regression, serial mediation, and moderator analyses. RESULTS: Crisis of meaning was distinguished from depression. It explained a significant amount of variance in suicidality beyond the mentioned protective and risk factors. For males, crisis of meaning was the only significant risk factor, and the strongest predictor overall. The acute risk factors depression and crisis of meaning mediated the effects of the baseline factors self-esteem, family functioning, and life-event load on suicidality. LIMITATIONS: The study was cross-sectional; assessed factors predicted variance in suicidal thoughts, plans, and past suicide attempts, while their relevance cannot be generalized to actual future suicide attempts. CONCLUSION: A crisis of meaning is an important factor to take into account in further research on the prevention and treatment of people at risk of suicide.

[Epidemiology of suicide among adolescents and young adults in EcuadorEpidemiologia do suicídio em adolescentes e jovens no Equador]. / Epidemiología del suicidio en adolescentes y jóvenes en Ecuador.

OBJECTIVE: To collect information - and provide it to decision-makers in health programs in general and mental health programs in particular - on epidemiological patterns in suicide deaths among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador. METHODS: A cross-sectional ecological study was conducted using data obtained from records of deaths by suicide among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador from 2001 to 2014. For analysis, results were disaggregated by geographic region, sex, age, ethnic group and suicide method. Rates of death by suicide (per 100,000 population) and relative risks (RR) for suicide were estimated by sex and region. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2014, 4,855 suicides were recorded among adolescents and young adults. The highest estimated risk was found among males aged 15 to 24 years and adolescents living in the Amazon region, followed by those living in the Andean region. Mestizos were the ethnic group with the greatest number of suicides, although 40% of young people who commit suicide in the Amazon region are indigenous. The most frequent method was by hanging, followed by pesticide poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: Suicide among adolescents and young adults is an important public health problem in Ecuador. Since various psychological, social, and cultural influences come into play, there is wide variation among regions, age groups, and ethnic groups. Restricting access to pesticides and other chemical products, implementing universal prevention programs and programs in education centers in the areas with the highest rates, and targeting vulnerable populations for specific interventions could help reduce the suicide rate among young people in Ecuador.

OBJETIVO: Coletar e prover informação aos responsáveis pela tomada de decisão nos programas de saúde, em geral, e de saúde mental, em particular, quanto às características epidemiológicas do suicídio em jovens e adolescentes equatorianos. MÉTODOS: Um estudo ecológico transversal foi realizado com dados dos registros de mortalidade por suicídio em adolescentes e jovens do Equador entre 2001 e 2014. A análise foi desagregada por região de origem, sexo, idade, grupo étnico e método usado para o suicídio. Foram estimados os índices de mortalidade por suicídio (por 100.000 habitantes) e o risco relativo (RR) de suicídio por sexo e região. RESULTADOS: No período entre 2001 e 2014, foram registrados 4.855 suicídios em adolescentes e jovens. Maior risco de suicídio foi estimado em indivíduos do sexo masculino com idade de 15 a 24 anos e adolescentes residentes na Amazônia e região de La Sierra. O grupo étnico com maior número de casos de suicídio foi o dos mestiços, embora 40% dos casos de suicídio em jovens na Amazônia ocorreram em indígenas. Os métodos mais usados foram enforcamento e, em segundo lugar, envenenamento por pesticidas. CONCLUSÕES: O suicídio de adolescentes e jovens é um importante problema de saúde pública no Equador. Como se trata de um fenômeno determinado por uma conjunção de fatores psicológicos, sociais e culturais, observa-se uma grande variação segundo região, faixa etária e grupo étnico. Restrição ao acesso a pesticidas e a outros produtos químicos, programas de prevenção universais e em centros educacionais em áreas com as taxas mais elevadas e intervenções específicas voltadas aos grupos vulneráveis podem contribuir para reduzir os casos de suicídio entre jovens no Equador.

Epidemiología del suicidio en adolescentes y jóvenes en Ecuador / Epidemiology of suicide among adolescents and young adults in Ecuador / Epidemiologia do suicídio em adolescentes e jovens no Equador

RESUMEN Objetivo Recabar y ofrecer información a quienes toman decisiones en los programas de salud en general, y de salud mental en particular, sobre las características epidemiológicas del suicidio de jóvenes y adolescentes ecuatorianos. Método Se realizó un estudio ecológico transversal con datos de los registros de mortalidad por suicidio de los jóvenes y adolescentes de Ecuador de 2001 a 2014. El análisis se desagregó por región natural, sexo, edad, grupo étnico y por el método usado para cometer el suicidio. Se estimaron tasas de mortalidad por suicidio (por 100 000 habitantes) y los riesgos relativos (RR) de suicidio por sexo y regiones. Resultados Entre 2001 y 2014 se registraron 4 855 suicidios en adolescentes y jóvenes. El riesgo más alto se estimó en los varones de 15 a 24 años y en los adolescentes residentes en la Amazonía, seguidos por los de la Sierra. La etnia con más casos de suicidio fueron los mestizos, aunque 40% de los jóvenes que se suicidan en la Amazonía son indígenas. El método más frecuente fue el ahorcamiento seguido por el envenenamiento con pesticidas. Conclusiones El suicidio de adolescentes y jóvenes es un problema de salud pública importante en Ecuador. Como en él influyen diversos factores psicológicos, sociales y culturales, se observan grandes variaciones según la región, los grupos de edad y las etnias. La restricción del acceso a pesticidas y a otros productos químicos, los programas de prevención universales y en centros educativos en las áreas con las tasas más altas, y las intervenciones específicas dirigidas a grupos vulnerables podrían ayudar a reducir los suicidios de jóvenes en Ecuador.

ABSTRACT Objective To collect information - and provide it to decision-makers in health programs in general and mental health programs in particular - on epidemiological patterns in suicide deaths among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador. Methods A cross-sectional ecological study was conducted using data obtained from records of deaths by suicide among young adults and adolescents in Ecuador from 2001 to 2014. For analysis, results were disaggregated by geographic region, sex, age, ethnic group and suicide method. Rates of death by suicide (per 100,000 population) and relative risks (RR) for suicide were estimated by sex and region. Results Between 2001 and 2014, 4,855 suicides were recorded among adolescents and young adults. The highest estimated risk was found among males aged 15 to 24 years and adolescents living in the Amazon region, followed by those living in the Andean region. Mestizos were the ethnic group with the greatest number of suicides, although 40% of young people who commit suicide in the Amazon region are indigenous. The most frequent method was by hanging, followed by pesticide poisoning. Conclusions Suicide among adolescents and young adults is an important public health problem in Ecuador. Since various psychological, social, and cultural influences come into play, there is wide variation among regions, age groups, and ethnic groups. Restricting access to pesticides and other chemical products, implementing universal prevention programs and programs in education centers in the areas with the highest rates, and targeting vulnerable populations for specific interventions could help reduce the suicide rate among young people in Ecuador.

RESUMO Objetivo Coletar e prover informação aos responsáveis pela tomada de decisão nos programas de saúde, em geral, e de saúde mental, em particular, quanto às características epidemiológicas do suicídio em jovens e adolescentes equatorianos. Métodos Um estudo ecológico transversal foi realizado com dados dos registros de mortalidade por suicídio em adolescentes e jovens do Equador entre 2001 e 2014. A análise foi desagregada por região de origem, sexo, idade, grupo étnico e método usado para o suicídio. Foram estimados os índices de mortalidade por suicídio (por 100.000 habitantes) e o risco relativo (RR) de suicídio por sexo e região. Resultados No período entre 2001 e 2014, foram registrados 4.855 suicídios em adolescentes e jovens. Maior risco de suicídio foi estimado em indivíduos do sexo masculino com idade de 15 a 24 anos e adolescentes residentes na Amazônia e região de La Sierra. O grupo étnico com maior número de casos de suicídio foi o dos mestiços, embora 40% dos casos de suicídio em jovens na Amazônia ocorreram em indígenas. Os métodos mais usados foram enforcamento e, em segundo lugar, envenenamento por pesticidas. Conclusões O suicídio de adolescentes e jovens é um importante problema de saúde pública no Equador. Como se trata de um fenômeno determinado por uma conjunção de fatores psicológicos, sociais e culturais, observa-se uma grande variação segundo região, faixa etária e grupo étnico. Restrição ao acesso a pesticidas e a outros produtos químicos, programas de prevenção universais e em centros educacionais em áreas com as taxas mais elevadas e intervenções específicas voltadas aos grupos vulneráveis podem contribuir para reduzir os casos de suicídio entre jovens no Equador.