Korean J Psychosom Med.  2024 Dec;32(2):64-69. 10.22722/KJPM.2024.32.2.64.

Comparison of Monthly Characteristics of Adolescent Suicide Attempts Before, During and After COVID-19

• Yoo S
• Cho H
• Chae B
• Kim HN
• Jee JY
• Yoon HK

• KMID: 2564519
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/KJPM.2024.32.2.64

Abstract

Objectives
：This study aimed to investigate the monthly characteristics of suicide attempts among adolescents considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
：From 2018 to 2023, patients who arrived at Korea University Ansan Hospital’s emergency depart- ment following a suicide attempt were categorized by age, with adolescents defined as those aged 18 and below. These patients were then compared across three periods: pre COVID-19, COVID-19 period, and post COVID-19 periods.
Results
：From January 2018 to December 2023, a total of 3,008 patients who attempted suicide visited the emergency room. Among them, 333 (11.1%) were adolescents. In the overall sample, the proportion of suicide attempts in January increased during the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, while the proportion in September decreased. Among adolescents, the proportion of suicide attempts in August decreased after COVID-19 compared to before.
Conclusions
：Our findings highlight a concerning increase in suicide attempts among teenagers, showing a cor-relation with the academic semester after COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding and addressing this trend are paramount for effective suicide risk management strategies moving forward.

Keyword

Adolescents; COVID-19; Suicide; Emergency service; Pandemics