Suicidal ideation and suicide commitment in Health Care Workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a review of the literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v12i2.40500

Keywords:

Suicidality, mental health, Health Care Workers, HCWs, SARS-COV-2, COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide represents an important public health concern since it leads to more annual deaths globally than violence, war and natural disasters combined. It is evident that during this pandemic year the phenomenon acquires even greater importance especially in the categories at risk, such as health care workers (HCWs). The aim of this review is to analyze literature evidence regarding health care providers' suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide commitment during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: International databases and digital worldwide media reports were screened between March 2020 and March 2021. The authors conducted a systematic review and described evidence using a narrative approach with some focus points based on the PICO framework. Inclusion or exclusion of literature is done according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations.

Results: What emerged is a range of SI that varies from 4 to 8% and the main risk factors seem to be loneliness, not having children and personal history of mental disorders.

Conclusion: SI, and in worst cases suicide commitment, seem mental health outcomes not to be underestimated, especially in an emergency that is protracting. They require monitoring by health surveillance systems with a goal of prevention and support.

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Author Biographies

Rodolfo Buselli, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

 Occupational Medicine Expert, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

E-mail: r.buselli@gmail.com

Martina Corsi, Occupational health department, Azienda ospedaliero-universitaria pisana, Italy

Psychiatrist, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital. Italy
Member of the Italian Society of Psychiatry

E-mail: dott.martinacorsi@gmail.com

Antonello Veltri, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

MD, PhD, Psychiatrist

Sigrid Baldanzi, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

M.Sc., PhD, Psychologist

Martina Chiumiento, Occupational Health Department, U.O. Medicina Preventiva del Lavoro, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56124 Pisa (PI), Italy

M.Sc., Psychologist, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit of Pisa University Hospital.

Riccardo Marino, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital

MD, Research fellow

Fabrizio Caldi, Preventive Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

MD in Occupational Medicine

Salvio Perretta, Occupational Medicine Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

MD in Occupational Medicine

Rudy Foddis, Pisa University, Italy

Professor of occupational medicine and industrial toxicology. Head of the health surveillance program

Alfonso Cristaudo, University of Pisa, Italy

MD in Occupational Medicine, Former Full Professor of Occupational Medicine

Giovanni Guglielmi, Division of Occupational & Preventive Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Italy

MD in Occupational Medicine, Acting Director

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Published

2022-03-13

How to Cite

Buselli, R., Corsi, M., Veltri, A., Baldanzi, S., Chiumiento, M., Marino, R., Caldi, F., Perretta, S., Foddis, R., Cristaudo, A., & Guglielmi, G. (2022). Suicidal ideation and suicide commitment in Health Care Workers during COVID-19 pandemic: a review of the literature. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Health, 12(2), 117–124. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijosh.v12i2.40500

Issue

Section

Review

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