Abstract
Objective:
Reductions in suicidal and self-harm presentations to emergency departments (EDs) since COVID-19 indicate changes in help-seeking behaviours, but it is unknown if hospital avoidance equally affects all population groups.
Method:
Socio-demographic and clinical information relating to suicidal and self-harm presentations to EDs in Queensland, Australia, were compared for the period before (March-August 2019) and since the COVID-19 outbreak (March-August 2020).
Results:
Since COVID, Indigenous Australians and persons with less severe suicidal and self-harm presentations had significantly reduced presentations, while persons younger than 18 years had more presentations. Less suicidal presentations resulted in an admission to inpatient care.
Conclusions:
Patterns of reduced attendance to ED in some groups suggest the need for innovative and community-based models of care to help prevent suicides during the pandemic.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 333-336 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Australasian Psychiatry |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 24 Feb 2021 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2021 |