State-level data on suicide mortality during COVID-19 quarantine: Early evidence of a disproportionate impact on racial minorities

The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 has raised concern for the potential of increased suicides due to a convergence of suicide risk factors. We obtained suicide mortality data to assess completed suicides during the period of strict stay-at-home quarantine measures in Connecticut and compared this data with previous years. While the total age-adjusted suicide mortality rate decreased by 13% during the lockdown period compared with the 5-year average, a significantly higher proportion of suicide decedents were from racial minority groups. This finding may provide early evidence of a disproportionate impact from the social and economic challenges of COVID-19 on minority populations.