Suicide Spike

by Mike James

Since the outbreak of Covid-19, there has been some anecdotal information that the virus would lead to increased suicides. Being primarily confined to your home, losing a job, losing a loved one(s) - all of these things can contribute to depression and anxiety, which could lead to suicide for some individuals. Recently, some new data has confirmed the speculation.

Both Japan and South Korea are among a few countries to provide current data on suicide rates. Most countries take a year or two before issuing their most recent numbers. Suicide rates in Japan and South Korea have increased noticeably during 2020.

Japan experienced 2,153 suicides in October 2020, the highest monthly count in more than five years. Most of the increase was for women. From July to October 2020, 2,810 women killed themselves in Japan, compared to 1,994 who died by suicide in the same period in 2019.

Japanese teens and young women are flooding suicide helplines. Yuki Nishimura of the Japanese Association of Mental Health Services said the chance of a caller getting through to its hotline is only about 40 percent. Although it is adding counselors, demand is rising.

In South Korea, suicides in the capital, Seoul, have increased by 4.8 percent for the first half of 2020. The Korea Suicide Prevention Center's director, Paik Jong-woo, said a lack of human connection is a threat to everyone's mental health, "but women are often faced with extra burdens of greater job insecurity compared to men, and of caring for school-aged children at home."

Research in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this summer found that 1 in 10 respondents had seriously contemplated suicide in the previous month. That is twice the rate they observed in 2018. The percentage of those 18 to 24 years old was 1 in 4, the CDC reported.

In Oregon's Columbia County, the number of deaths by suicide by summertime had already exceeded last year's total suicide deaths. DuPage County, Illinois, has reported a 23 percent rise in suicides compared to the previous year.

A study by the British Journal Psychiatry found similar statistics. The British study found thoughts of suicide had increased during the first six weeks of virus lockdown. Women and young adults were affected the most.

According to psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic, founding director of the Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute, here are five strategies to help cope with depressive thinking:

Reduce overthinking---When we get down, it is often due to thinking and overthinking why we are in a negative situation. Some people are prone to overanalyze, hoping to think their way out of feeling bad. To help with this, try to focus on how the bad thing happened and what you can do about it. Focusing on others instead of yourself can also help.

Get Out and Socialize---Force yourself to get out there (phone, computer, places) when you begin to feel down. Even if you can't engage with others in getting out there, a brisk walk or exercise can also help.

Increase Self-Compassion---We often get down on ourselves because we are too hard on ourselves. The golden rule in Matthew 7:12 tells us to treat others as we would like to be treated. We sometimes forget the fact we all want favorable treatment. Perfectionistic tendencies and the over-competitive nature in some cultures can decrease the compassion we provide for ourselves.

Remove Thoughts of Helplessness and Hopelessness---When we feel helpless, we lose hope. Remember to read scripture to overcome this thinking. Scriptures like Philippians 4:13 can help motivate us. We must have faith that we can overcome anything thru Jesus Christ.

Notice When You Feel Well and Build on It---Slow down when you do have positive moments. Focus on what it is about the moment that is helping you and take note of it. If you have your phone handy, take a picture to remember what the moment is. Having that record is something you can look back on to remind you it's not always bad.

Perhaps the most famous suicide in the Bible is addressed in Matthew 27:3-5. Judas realizing that he was involved in getting Jesus imprisoned and killed, suffers great remorse. So much so that he kills himself by hanging. We can't allow ourselves to lose hope as Judas did. If you have faith in God, He promises never to leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6-8). Don't keep your thoughts to yourself. Reach out to friends, family, church, and hotlines (see below).

In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Also, visit suicidestop.com for a list of suicide hotlines the world over and other resources.

Sources: "Suicides Spike Among Women in Japan, South Korea," by Simon Denyer and Akiko Kashiwagi, The Washington Post, December 1, 2020.

"Strategies to Control Your Sadness," by Jelena Kecmanovic, The Washington Post, December 1, 2020.

"Another Killer in the Pandemic," by William Wan, The Washington Post, December 3, 2020.