Page 13 - Intuition, Imagination and Innovation in Suicidology Conference. 12th Triple i | Virtual Conference | 25th–27th May 2021
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Cs, Pandemic & Suicide 12th Triple i | Virtual Conference | 25th–27th May 2021
Murad Khan
Prof. Murad Khan is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Aga Khan Uni-
versity, Karachi, Pakistan. He received his basic medical degree (MBBS) in Karachi,
Pakistan and did his residency training (General and Old Age Psychiatry) in UK
where he obtained membership of Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK. Prof. Mu-
rad Khan has been researching suicidal behaviour in Pakistan over the last few
decades. His areas of interest include the role of socio-cultural and religious fac-
tors in suicidal behaviours. He conducted the first psychological autopsy study in
Pakistan and one of the few in the Islamic world.
Abstract. The current Covid-19 is a serious global public health emergency
that has both physical and mental health consequences. It has been hypo-
thesized that the pandemic may lead to increase in suicide rates, due to va-
rious factors: fear, anxiety, uncertainty, loss, bereavement, increased unem-
ployment and loss of livelihood amongst other factors. But it is also possible
that increased family time, connectedness and mutual support may mitiga-
te the effects of risk factors of suicide. The mental health and suicide-related
consequences of the pandemic might vary depending on how countries’ he-
alth and public health systems respond to it. The health and mental health
systems of low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are being severely chal-
lenged, as pre-pandemic most LMICs already had poor health and mental
health systems. Other factors in LMICs that have an adverse effect on mental
health include social effects of banning religious gatherings (esp. funerals),
an increase in domestic violence and the millions of migrant workers who
lost their livelihoods overnight. Most LMICs do not have any safety welfare
nets. Stigma and ostracism of Covid patients has lead to their and their fami-
lies’ social exclusion. All these factors are likely to lead to compromised men-
tal health, with a possible increase in suicidal behaviors. Unfortunately, the
absence of good surveillance systems in most LMICs means that any change
in the pattern of suicidal behaviors will be difficult to assess. It is imperati-
ve that LMICs use the opportunity to improve their health systems, increase
investment in mental health, develop a national mental health and suicide
preventive strategies. At the very least there is urgent need to develop ro-
bust surveillance systems to monitor the patterns of suicide and self-harm in
LMICs.
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-068-4.13 13
Murad Khan
Prof. Murad Khan is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Aga Khan Uni-
versity, Karachi, Pakistan. He received his basic medical degree (MBBS) in Karachi,
Pakistan and did his residency training (General and Old Age Psychiatry) in UK
where he obtained membership of Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK. Prof. Mu-
rad Khan has been researching suicidal behaviour in Pakistan over the last few
decades. His areas of interest include the role of socio-cultural and religious fac-
tors in suicidal behaviours. He conducted the first psychological autopsy study in
Pakistan and one of the few in the Islamic world.
Abstract. The current Covid-19 is a serious global public health emergency
that has both physical and mental health consequences. It has been hypo-
thesized that the pandemic may lead to increase in suicide rates, due to va-
rious factors: fear, anxiety, uncertainty, loss, bereavement, increased unem-
ployment and loss of livelihood amongst other factors. But it is also possible
that increased family time, connectedness and mutual support may mitiga-
te the effects of risk factors of suicide. The mental health and suicide-related
consequences of the pandemic might vary depending on how countries’ he-
alth and public health systems respond to it. The health and mental health
systems of low and middle-income countries (LMIC) are being severely chal-
lenged, as pre-pandemic most LMICs already had poor health and mental
health systems. Other factors in LMICs that have an adverse effect on mental
health include social effects of banning religious gatherings (esp. funerals),
an increase in domestic violence and the millions of migrant workers who
lost their livelihoods overnight. Most LMICs do not have any safety welfare
nets. Stigma and ostracism of Covid patients has lead to their and their fami-
lies’ social exclusion. All these factors are likely to lead to compromised men-
tal health, with a possible increase in suicidal behaviors. Unfortunately, the
absence of good surveillance systems in most LMICs means that any change
in the pattern of suicidal behaviors will be difficult to assess. It is imperati-
ve that LMICs use the opportunity to improve their health systems, increase
investment in mental health, develop a national mental health and suicide
preventive strategies. At the very least there is urgent need to develop ro-
bust surveillance systems to monitor the patterns of suicide and self-harm in
LMICs.
https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-068-4.13 13
