May 28, 2020

Projected Increases in Suicide in Canada as a Consequence of COVID-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Mental Health and Personal Impact

• McIntyre and Lee predict the number of excess suicides in Canada resulting from the impact of COVID-19 on unemployment. They estimate that an incremental 1-percentage point increase in unemployment from 2020 to 2021 would be associated with a 1.0% increase in the suicide rate. Assuming a small increase in unemployment (1.2-1.6%), they predict a total of 418 excess suicides in 2020-2021. Assuming a large increase in unemployment (8.9-10.7%), they predict a total of 2,114 excess suicides in 2020-2021. 

McIntyre and Lee. (May 19, 2020). Projected Increases in Suicide in Canada as a Consequence of COVID-19. Psychiatry Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113104