Longitudinal analysis of post-COVID-19 surge in hospital admissions for suicide attempts: A five-year study of pandemic and post-pandemic trends

Abstract

This study investigates trends in psychiatric hospital admissions due to severe suicide attempts, defined as those requiring hospitalization for at least 24 h, in the Madrid region, Spain, over a five-year period (2019–2023), encompassing pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic contexts. Using the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) from 34 public hospitals, we analyzed data for individuals requiring hospital admission due to suicidal ideation or attempts. A total of 7681 patients, primarily female (65 %), were included, and analyses were stratified by age and gender. The findings indicate a significant increase in hospitalizations for suicidal behaviors among adolescent females, beginning in late 2020, with this trend persisting through 2023. No substantial changes were observed in other age groups. Despite increases in suicide attempts, overall suicide rates remained stable, possibly reflecting improved intervention efforts. These results underscore the pressing need for targeted prevention strategies, particularly for adolescent girls, who exhibited heightened vulnerability to post-pandemic mental health challenges. This study highlights the critical role of continuous monitoring and intervention in reducing suicidal behaviors in at-risk populations.