Abstract
Patients at high risk of suicide before and during a COVID-19 lockdown: Ecological momentary assessment study
Cobo, A. Porras-Segovia, A., Perez-Rodriguez, M.M., Artes-Rodriguez, A., Barrigon, M.L., Courtet, P., & Baca-Garcia, E.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak may have affected the mental health of patients at high risk of suicide. In this study we explored the wish to die and other suicide risk factors using smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in patients with a history of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. Contrary to our expectations we found a decrease in the wish to die during lockdown. This is consistent with previous studies showing that suicide rates decrease during periods of social emergency. Smartphone-based EMA can allow us to remotely assess patients and overcome the physical barriers imposed by lockdown.