NCISH Suicide in England since the COVID-19 pandemic

NCISH examined the suicide figures established by “real-time surveillance” (RTS) systems in several parts of England, total population 9 million, comparing the months pre-lockdown (January-March 2020) to post-lockdown (April-August 2020). The average number of suicides per month varied but there was no evidence of a rise post-lockdown. The post-lockdown figures were higher than in the equivalent period in 2019 but this should be understood in the context of rising suicide rates and improving RTS systems. Several important caveats apply, and these findings do not rule out higher figures in some areas or as a result of a future economic downturn.