Home > The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations of self-harm over an 18-month period to a tertiary hospital.

O'Malley, A and McIntyre, A and McGilloway, A and Doherty, A and Hallahan, B (2023) The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on presentations of self-harm over an 18-month period to a tertiary hospital. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40, (3), pp. 418-423. https://doi.org/10.1017/ipm.2023.9.

OBJECTIVES: To examine and compare rates and methods of self-harm presenting to a tertiary referral hospital during an 18-month period since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with a similar period immediately prior to the pandemic onset.

METHODS: Data from an anonymized database compared rates of self-harm presentations and methods employed between 1st March 2020 and 31st August 2021 to a similar time-frame prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS: A 9.1% increase in presentations with self-harm was noted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Periods of more stringent restrictions were associated with higher levels of self-harm (daily rate of 2.10 v 0.77). A higher lethality of attempt was demonstrated post-COVID-19 onset. Fewer individuals presenting with self-harm were diagnosed with an adjustment disorder since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with no other differences pertaining to psychiatric diagnosis noted. More patients actively engaged with mental health services (MHS) presented with self-harm (= 239 (31.7%) v. = 137, (19.8%)) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite an initial reduction, an increase in rates of self-harm has occurred since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with higher rates evident during periods of higher government mandated restrictions. An increase in active patients of MHS presenting with self-harm potentially relates to reduced availability of supports and particularly group activities. The recommencement of group therapeutic interventions for individuals attending MHS in particular is warranted.


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