Page 92 - Postmortem-findings-in-COVID-19-patients-and-mental-health-issues-in-the-era-of-COVID-19

5. How many callers called with the intention of

suicide in mind during MCO and CMCO?

Dr. Ravi:

With regard to suicide, I think there have been no one cause that leads to suicide, but I
am quite sure that the COVID-19 isolation can worsen the existing stress and

complicate the situation. As of now, we do not really know of rates or cases presenting
to suicide, this can be due to many reasons, such as when people are isolated and also
the access to lethal methods. Nursing in COVID-19 wards could be very isolating, not

just for patients but also for healthcare workers. This isolation itself could foster the
suicidal thoughts amongst patients and healthcare workers and worsen the suicidal
thinking. The pandemic can easily foster helplessness and disconnectedness amongst

people. Handling it by improving connectivity is one way forward.

Esther Teo: I agree with Dr. Ravi, isolation during the pandemic causes suicidal

thoughts and affects mental health amongst people. During MCO, I, personally
received angry phone calls. They would call just to shout and scold, sometimes, they

scolded quite badly, and then they would just hang up. There were also phone calls
whereby the person would yell out “COVID-19! COVID-19!” before hanging up. Some
phone calls were linked to suicidal issues. We would ask them if they are alone. We

would try to let them talk more, and we will listen. In between, we would ask them
again and again, if they still have suicidal intentions. Eventually, they would

“postpone dying” at the end of the call. They will mention, they are not sure when the
suicidal thought will come back. We will always ask them to call whenever the suicidal
thought comes back.