“We can use these findings to target which stressors are the most toxic in terms of driving people towards thoughts of suicide. While some of these may ease as we come out of lockdown, others may persist well into the future,” said Professor Nicola Gray, from Swansea University.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic increased stress and suicidal thoughts among people. Individuals with high levels of hope and determination towards the future were less likely to be affected by these thoughts.’
Stressors could do harm but have some hope
The research findings were based on a survey in which 12,000 people shared their experiences during the first UK lockdown . Several factors like social isolation, domestic abuse, relationship problems, unemployment, and financial problems were found to have a strong relationship to suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
As much of the factors stated above cannot be avoided completely in a pandemic situation, the study also says that people who have high levels of hope and determination for the future were less affected by these stressors .
“People’s responses to a traumatic crisis do not follow a simple path of depression then recovery. It is currently unclear as to whether people simply have got worse as the crisis has continued or whether they are becoming more immune to the situation and are developing increased resilience. Only by understanding this can we be in a position to make an effective response and help people who might be suffering,” said James Knowles, from Swansea University.
The study thus emphasizes the importance of inculcating a strong determination to face the future ahead of the pandemic in order to overcome self-destruction thoughts arising in the mind of people, especially the younger ones.
Source: Medindia
