SPR30831 WLF SPA WhitePaper v12 - Flipbook - Page 8
What the evidence says
The current COVID-19 pandemic was first confirmed in Australia in late January 2020 and has
seen a total of 7285 cases and 102 deaths1. Australian Government response measures have
included social distancing, closure of many businesses and services, boosting the capacity of
health systems and economy through the provision of support packages, isolation of people
who contract the virus and contact tracing the people they encounter, travel restrictions and
fines for people caught breaking social distancing measures in some states and territories1.
Australia is already beginning to see the impact response measures are having on the lives of
Australians. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report 45 per cent of Australians aged 18
years and over have been financially impacted by COVID-19 over the period mid-March to
mid-April 2020, and 31 per cent of household finances have worsened2. The ABS further
identified changes in mental health and wellbeing throughout COVID-19, in comparison to data
from 2017-2018 National Health Survey, reporting almost twice as many Australians are
experiencing anxiety during social distancing2.
We have undertaken a review of recent literature on COVID-19 and other pandemics to identify
the public mental health and suicide impact.
Five key themes have emerged from our evidence review:
• the relationship between pandemic response measures and mental health
• links exist between increased suicide rates, attempts and behaviours during pandemics
• risk factors for suicide during pandemics
• mental health for frontline workers during pandemics
• methods for addressing the public health impact.
The relationship between pandemic response measures and mental health
Pandemic response measures such as physical distancing, quarantine, travel restrictions and
criminalisation for people who don’t comply with such orders can amplify social isolation,
anxiety, stigma, discrimination and feelings of uncertainty within the broader community. This
can lead to poor mental health or the exacerbation of existing mental health problems 3,4.
Response measures compromise access to common protective factors for suicide such as
social support and connection, employment, planning for the future and access to mental health
care 5. COVID-19 and past global pandemics report psychological impacts such as loneliness,
helplessness, fear and anger because of quarantine or social distancing 9,4,6,7,8. In a rapid review
of the psychological impact of quarantine, it was reported that such impacts are experienced
due to “confinement, loss of usual routine, and reduced social and physical contact with
others 9”.
Increases in anxiety levels during COVID-19 have been reported globally. A web-based crosssectional survey in China (n=603) to assess population mental health burden during COVID-19
identified one in three participants demonstrated anxiety disorders yielding similar results to the
psychological impact caused by SARS10,11. The study further reported higher rates of depressive
symptoms among young people than older people, and high rates of poor sleep quality among
healthcare workers10. A cross-sectional survey in Hong Kong on the psychological impact during
COVID-19 (n=1715) reported risk perception towards COVID-19 in the community was high, with
97 per cent of respondents reporting they were worried about COVID-19 and an increase in
general anxiety levels identified12.
Suicidality during pandemics
While evidence concerning the impact of COVID-19 on the community is still emerging, past
pandemics such as SARS15 and The Great Influenza13 have been linked to increased levels of
distress. During the SARS epidemic in 2003, the suicide rate in Hong Kong reached an
Reducing distress in the community following the COVID-19 pandemic
June 2020
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