COVID-19 and suicide: Potential implications and opportunities to influence trends in Canada. Policy brief

The purpose of this brief is to share the evidence about the potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on suicide rates, including suicidal ideation, attempts, and deaths. It outlines the related risk and protective factors and provides an overview of how the current changing environment may influence trends and other psychological impacts related to suicide. This brief is based on a scan of peer-reviewed and grey literature undertaken by the Prevention and Promotion Initiatives team at the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC), between April 1 and August 5, 2020. Its threefold purpose is to inform policy makers and those in the health sector of the potential impact of COVID-19 on mental health and suicide rates in Canada, provide insight into which potential risk and protective factors to monitor, and highlight the existing opportunities to influence these trends.