In a study conducted by the CDC, it was found that amongst those who participated, 13.3% were abusing non-prescribed medications and 10.7% considered seriously committing suicide. The study showed that there was a 17% increase in anxiety and suicidal ideation with the start of the social isolation period. The numbers being 8.1% at the end of 2019, and 25.5% in June 2020. 

Substance abuse and suicidal ideation as a result of social isolation

The visual below includes data on suicidal behavior collected amongst individuals who were socially isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is apparent that a dramatic amount of individuals were mentally affected by isolation, and turned to suicidal behaviors including substance abuse. 

Wayne State University

With the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, statistics show that there was a significant spike in the purchase of firearms. Whilst this may not seem to be related to the increase in suicidal ideation as an effect of social isolation, owning a handgun has actually been associated with a much greater risk of death by suicide. This along with suicidal ideation hat may stem from depression in social isolation only makes suicide even more of a risk factor. 

Suicidal ideation as a risk factor of social isolation

-Nirmita Panchal, R. K., & 2021, F. (2021, February 10). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
-“The Double Pandemic Of Social Isolation And COVID-19: Cross-Sector Policy Must Address Both, " Health Affairs Blog, June 22, 2020.
DOI: 10.1377/hblog20200609.53823
-Sacks, C. A., Institute, A. A., Others, D. S., T. T. Shimabukuro and Others, F. P. Polack and Others, & R. W. Frenck and Others. (2020, June 04). Reconsidering Risks of Gun Ownership and Suicide in Unprecedented Times: NEJM. Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2007658?af=R&rss=currentIssue
-Nirmita Panchal, R. K., & 2021, F. (2021, April 14). The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use/
-Domestic Violence Increased in the US by 8.1% During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/domestic-violence-covid-19-increase-us-ncccj-study/
-https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11150-020-09526-7
-https://fox17.com/news/local/feeling-the-pressures-of-the-pandemic-suicide-hotlines-see-800-percent-spike-in-calls
-https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm
-https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/substance-use-pandemic
-https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/covid-19-pandemic-sparks-surge-in-overdose-deaths-this-year

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