COVID‐19 suicide and its causative factors among the healthcare professionals: Case study evidence from press reports

Jahan, Israt; Ullah, Irfan; Griffiths, Mark D.; Mamun, Mohammed A.

PURPOSE: Recent research has demonstrated the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic among the general population. However, COVID‐19‐related suicides among healthcare professionals (HCPs) have yet to be investigated. FINDINGS: The present study utilized retrospective press media suicide reports and identified a total of 26 worldwide HCP COVID‐19‐related suicide cases (aged 22–60 years; 14 females; most of the cases from India). The cases comprised doctors (n = 11), nurses (n = 9), paramedics (n = 5), and one medical student. Being infected with the COVID‐19 was the most common suicide reason, followed by work‐related stress, and fear related to COVID‐19 infection/transmission. Among the eight cases diagnosed with COVID‐19, most were female (n = 6), and either doctors (n = 4) or nurses (n = 4). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The present findings will be helpful for human resources departments in healthcare workplaces in ensuring HCP's mental wellbeing.